Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to death by a special tribunal for her role in ordering a violent crackdown on student-led protests last year.
The United Nations estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during the demonstrations, most from gunfire by security forces.
Hasina, 78, who is currently living in exile in India after being forced from power, was tried in absentia.
Her trial has sparked intense debate, both domestically and internationally, about fairness and due process.
Former Prime Minister Denounces Tribunal as Politically Motivated
In response to the verdict, Hasina issued a defiant statement from India, claiming the tribunal was biased and politically driven.
She described it as a “rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate” and insisted she remains committed to serving the Bangladeshi people despite the ruling.
Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, reading the court’s decision, said Hasina was guilty of crimes against humanity, including murder, extermination, and torture, and cited her orders to deploy drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons against protesters.
Co-Accused Also Receive Sentences
The court handed the death penalty to Asaduzzaman Khan, the former home minister and Hasina’s co-accused in the trial.
Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison sentence, with leniency granted for his cooperation, including providing key evidence to the tribunal.
Tensions and Security Measures in Dhaka
Security was heavily increased across Bangladesh as the verdict was announced.
Family members of those killed during the 2024 protests were visibly emotional in the courtroom.
Outside, small groups gathered, chanting for justice, while authorities prepared for potential unrest.
In the days leading up to the ruling, at least 30 crude bomb explosions and 26 vehicles set on fire were reported across the country, reflecting lingering tensions from last year’s uprising.
July 2024 Protests Labeled “The July Revolution”
The student protests that sparked Hasina’s downfall initially began as peaceful demonstrations but escalated into a nationwide uprising against her government.
UN reports describe the crackdown as the deadliest in Bangladesh since its 1971 war of independence.
Thousands were injured, most from gunfire, and the unrest became widely known as the “July Revolution.”
Prosecutors presented evidence that Hasina directly commanded the use of lethal force to suppress protesters.
The court found that the attacks were widespread, systematic, and directed against civilians, constituting crimes against humanity.
Legacy of Controversy
Hasina’s fifteen years in power were marked by allegations of corruption, human rights abuses, and enforced disappearances.
International organizations, including the UN, have documented these issues extensively.
Her legal team has criticized the trial, appealing to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, highlighting concerns over fair trial rights and due process.
Fears of Political Turmoil Ahead
Monday’s sentencing has heightened fears of renewed instability in Bangladesh, with national elections expected in February.
Analysts warn that the ruling could deepen divisions and spark protests among Hasina’s supporters, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape in the coming months.
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