A Bangladesh court dealing with war crimes has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, following a trial that found her responsible for a violent crackdown on a student-led protest last year. The verdict, considered a significant legal action against a former Bangladeshi leader, comes just before upcoming parliamentary elections slated for early February.
With Hasina’s party, the Awami League, disqualified from participating in the elections, concerns have arisen that the recent verdict could fuel further unrest before the polls. The judgment was delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka, Bangladesh, amidst heightened security measures and the absence of Hasina, who had fled to India in August 2024.
Hasina, aged 78, received a life sentence for crimes against humanity and the death penalty for her involvement in the deaths of several individuals during the protest. The courtroom erupted in cheers and applause upon the announcement of the death sentence.
The verdict is subject to appeal in the country’s Supreme Court. Hasina, in response to the ruling, criticized the tribunal as biased and politically motivated, stating that it aimed to eliminate her as Bangladesh’s last elected prime minister and undermine the Awami League’s political influence.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Hasina’s direct orders to use lethal force to suppress the student-led demonstration. The protests, which occurred between July 15 and August 5, 2024, resulted in the deaths of up to 1,400 people, as reported by the United Nations, making it the most violent episode in Bangladesh since its independence war in 1971.
Represented by state-appointed defense counsel, Hasina maintained her innocence throughout the trial, dismissing the charges and questioning the tribunal’s fairness. The interim government defended the transparency of the proceedings, rejecting claims of political bias.
In anticipation of potential unrest following the verdict, security measures were heightened across Bangladesh, with no casualties reported despite incidents of explosions and vehicle fires. The country, led by an interim administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since Hasina’s departure, continues to face political uncertainties despite relative calm.
Hasina’s fall from power marked a significant turn of events for the leader who had dominated Bangladeshi politics since the 1990s. Facing accusations of authoritarianism and human rights abuses during her tenure, she defended her rule as necessary for stability and development in the nation.
The economy, once thriving under her leadership, has faced challenges in recent years, particularly due to external factors such as global conflicts impacting fuel and food prices. Hasina’s swift departure following the uprising symbolized a dramatic end to her long-standing political career.
