Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been handed a death sentence for her involvement in violent protests that resulted in numerous casualties. The ruling was made following her conviction for crimes against humanity, including incitement, issuing lethal orders, and failing to prevent atrocities. Hasina, currently residing in exile in India, was tried in absentia.
Additionally, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and ex-interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were also found guilty of allowing the use of deadly force against protesters and neglecting to stop the violence.
Last August, amidst widespread unrest and demands for accountability, Hasina resigned from her position and fled to India after leading the country for nearly 15 years. The United Nations estimated that around 1,400 individuals lost their lives in the turmoil. The verdict was delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka, raising concerns of potential unrest ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.
Security measures were intensified by the interim government before the ruling, with deployment of military personnel and police forces in various regions. Hasina’s political party, the Awami League, has called for a nationwide shutdown in protest of the verdict.
During the court proceedings, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder stated that Hasina had committed crimes against humanity by authorizing the use of drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons. Family members of the deceased protesters reacted emotionally in the courtroom, with some expressing relief as the judgment was read.
An audio message from Hasina was played in court prior to her sentencing, where she remained defiant, stating that only Allah could determine her fate and reaffirming her commitment to serving her people.
The unrest that erupted in July of the previous year started as a student demonstration but quickly spread nationwide. Hasina responded by ordering a government crackdown and permitting security forces to use live ammunition against civilians.
In a post-verdict statement from India, Hasina denounced the judgment as politically motivated, criticizing the tribunal as biased and unjust. She expressed willingness to confront her accusers in a fair and impartial legal setting.