Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death for her involvement in violent protests that resulted in the deaths of numerous individuals. The sentencing was based on her conviction for crimes against humanity, including incitement, issuing orders leading to fatalities, and failure to prevent atrocities. Hasina, who is currently residing in India, was tried in absentia.
In addition to Hasina, former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and ex-interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were also found guilty for their roles in permitting the use of deadly force against protesters and neglecting to stop the violence.
Hasina resigned from her position and fled to India following widespread demonstrations in the country, sparked by clashes between protesters and law enforcement resulting in a high number of casualties. The United Nations reported a potential death toll of up to 1,400 people during the unrest. The verdict was issued by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka, raising concerns of potential unrest as the country prepares for upcoming parliamentary elections.
Security measures were heightened by the interim government prior to the verdict announcement, with increased presence of military personnel, border guards, and police in Dhaka and other regions. Hasina’s political party, the Awami League, has called for a nationwide shutdown in protest against the ruling.
During the court proceedings, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder stated that Hasina had instructed the use of drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons, leading to crimes against humanity. Family members of the deceased protesters reacted emotionally to the verdict, with some expressing support for the decision.
Before receiving the death penalty, Hasina delivered an audio message in court, expressing her acceptance of the verdict and her commitment to serving her people. She later denounced the sentencing as politically motivated and criticized the tribunal as biased, emphasizing the need for a fair and impartial hearing to address the charges against her.