Tribunal ruling and verdict details
A three-judge bench of the International Crimes Tribunal‑1 (ICT-1) in Dhaka has found former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death in absentia. The tribunal held that Hasina, 78, played a central role in the violent suppression of the mass student-led protests in July-August 2024, which the court said resulted in the deaths of up to 1,400 people. In addition to the death sentence, the court handed down a life imprisonment term on some of the other charges.
Charges and evidence
According to the court, Hasina was found guilty of incitement, ordering lethal force, and failing to prevent atrocities carried out under her watch. The prosecution alleged the use of drones, helicopters and conventional weapons against civilians in the crackdown, describing her as the “mastermind” behind the operation. Hasina was tried in absentia after fleeing to India in August 2024. The court noted that despite multiple summonses she failed to appear.
Government’s position and immediate aftermath
The verdict represents a cornerstone of the interim government of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which took power after the uprising that led to Hasina’s exit. Bangladesh’s authorities have formally requested India to extradite Hasina so the sentence can be enforced. In Dhaka, security was tightened ahead of the verdict, with reports of bombings and unrest in the run-up to the decision.
Reactions and controversies
Hasina, through a statement from exile, denounced the trial and verdict as “biased” and politically motivated, saying the tribunal lacked democratic legitimacy. Human rights organisations have welcomed accountability for the killings, but raised serious concerns about due-process standards and the use of the death penalty.
What this means for Bangladesh
The ruling marks a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape: the former long-serving leader has been removed judicially and politically, and her party, the Awami League, is banned from elections. With national elections scheduled for February 2026, the verdict sets the tone for the upcoming electoral contest and raises questions about the future of democratic governance and political reconciliation in Bangladesh.
