Bangladesh’s former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity over her government’s violent suppression of student-led protests that led to her ousting in July 2024.
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), sitting in Dhaka, found Hasina guilty of allowing lethal force against protesters, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people during the unrest. Tried in absentia after fleeing to India, Hasina has denied all charges, calling the trial “biased and politically motivated.”
The tribunal, which followed months of proceedings, centered on allegations that Hasina and her administration orchestrated mass killings, extra-judicial attacks, and the arbitrary detention and torture of protesters. Evidence presented included leaked audio, verified by BBC Eye, where Hasina allegedly authorised the use of lethal weapons in July 2024.
Reacting to the verdict, Hasina condemned the sentence as a politically motivated attempt by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to weaken her party, the Awami League, which was banned in May 2025. She vowed to challenge the ruling at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, insisting that a fair tribunal is the only proper venue to assess evidence.
The student protests, initially sparked by demands to abolish government job quotas, escalated into a nationwide anti-government movement. UN human rights investigators have said the deaths could constitute crimes against humanity, citing shootings, maimings, and arbitrary arrests.
Families of victims welcomed the verdict. Ramjan Ali, whose brother was killed during the protests, called for “exemplary punishment,” while Lucky Akther, whose husband died, demanded the sentence be carried out before the upcoming February 2026 elections.
The ruling has heightened security in Dhaka, where bombings and unrest preceded the verdict, though no casualties were reported from Monday’s early-morning explosion.
Political analysts warn the sentence may not heal Bangladesh’s deep divisions. Shireen Huq, a Dhaka-based rights activist, noted that Hasina’s and her party’s lack of apology for the violence leaves many victims and amputees without closure.
Journalist David Bergman added that the conviction may make it harder for the Awami League to re-enter mainstream politics unless the leadership distances itself from past atrocities.
India, where Hasina currently resides, has so far refused extradition requests from Dhaka, meaning her death sentence is unlikely to be executed in the near term. Meanwhile, her legal team has appealed to the United Nations over concerns of due process and fairness.
The tribunal also sentenced her former home minister and police chief, highlighting the systemic nature of the crackdown. While the decision offers some measure of justice to families of victims, it underscores the ongoing political and humanitarian challenges facing Bangladesh as it prepares for national elections under the interim government.
