Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death: Dhaka tribunal holds ex-PM guilty of 'crimes against humanity'

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on Monday by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD). The tribunal had found her guilty of alleged "crimes against humanity" under three of the five charges against her (relating to the incitement of violence, orders to kill, and inaction in the face of atrocities).

Notably, the tribunal had initially sentenced her to life imprisonment, but later changed their mind due to the degree of the crimes committed, sentencing her to death.

"We have decided to inflict her with only one sentence—that is, sentence of death," declared Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

The 78-year-old Awami League leader, who has been in India since August 2024, was tried in absentia over crimes allegedly committed during student-led agitations in 2024 that led to the fall of her government.

The tribunal has also reportedly said that she deserved maximum punishment for her "crimes against humanity".

Sheikh Hasina had earlier told THE WEEK in an exclusive interview that the prosecution was "compromised", and that the court was "weaponised for the political ends of an unelected government, with the sole aim of silencing opposition".

The case also includes former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who is in custody and has pleaded guilty.

The former also received a death sentence, while the ex-police chief got a five-year prison term.

The police chief, who became a state witness, was the only person among the accused to physically appear in court for the hearing.

The tribunal also did not allow her to appeal her case, as a convict must be arrested or surrender to the authorities to qualify for filing an appeal in the Supreme Court.

"The appeal must be lodged within 30 days of the verdict, and the law mandates that the Appellate Division dispose of the appeal within 60 days of its filing," he told The Daily Star.

Hasina had urged her party supporters to continue the protests in an emotional audio address posted on Facebook, telling them that there was "nothing to be afraid of".

"I am alive. I will live. I will support the people of the country," she added.

She had also called for a nationwide shutdown on Monday to protest against the trial, calling it politically motivated.

 

World