Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death for Crimes Against Humanity

A Bangladesh tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. The verdict was delivered on Monday for crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 student uprising. The ousted leader was tried in absentia from her exile in India.

FILE- Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks during a press conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Jan. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)

The International Crimes Tribunal found Hasina and two top aides guilty of orchestrating a violent crackdown. The court concluded a massive evidentiary process spanning thousands of documents and witness accounts.

Details of the Tribunal’s Ruling

The three-judge panel found Sheikh Hasina guilty on five separate charges. These included ordering mass killings of protesters in Dhaka. The charges also specified the use of helicopters and drones to fire on civilian crowds.

Another charge involved the murder of a specific student activist, Abu Sayed. The tribunal also found her guilty of incinerating bodies to destroy evidence. The court stated her absence from proceedings was an admission of guilt.

Security and Political Fallout

Security was extremely tight across Dhaka ahead of the verdict. Paramilitary border guards and police were deployed nationwide. The interim government of Muhammad Yunus authorized the heightened security measures.

According to Reuters, Hasina’s party, the Awami League, called the tribunal a “kangaroo court.” The party had called for a nationwide strike to protest the proceedings. The political situation in Bangladesh remains highly volatile.

The death sentence for Sheikh Hasina marks a dramatic and irreversible turn in Bangladesh’s turbulent political history, setting the stage for further regional uncertainty.

Info at your fingertips

What were the specific charges against Sheikh Hasina?

The five charges were orchestrating mass killings in Dhaka, using helicopters and drones on civilians, the murder of student activist Abu Sayed, incinerating bodies in Ashulia, and coordinated killings in Chankharpul. The court found her guilty on all counts.

Where is Sheikh Hasina now?

Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile in New Delhi, India. She fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after her government was toppled by the widespread student-led protests.

Was anyone else sentenced in this case?

Yes, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death in absentia. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who pleaded guilty, received a lenient sentence.

How did the court handle Sheikh Hasina’s absence?

The tribunal conducted the trial in absentia. The judges stated that her failure to appear, despite notices, was considered an admission of guilt under the court’s procedures.

What was the basis for the guilty verdict?

The prosecution presented nearly 10,000 pages of evidence. This included video footage, ballistic logs, flight schedules, and testimony from over 80 witnesses, which the court deemed conclusive.