Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death for crimes against humanity

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for crimes against humanity committed during last year’s student uprising, which ultimately led to the fall of her government.

The verdict comes after a months-long trial conducted in Hasina’s absence. The 78-year-old Awami League leader, living in exile in New Delhi since her ouster on 5 August 2024, was found guilty on three charges: incitement to violence, issuing orders to kill protesters, and failing to prevent atrocities during the student-led uprising.

The landmark ruling, expected to reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape, arrives months ahead of parliamentary elections slated for early February.

The three-member tribunal detailed Hasina’s alleged role in orchestrating a deadly crackdown. She was accused of delivering inflammatory speeches that allegedly spurred coordinated attacks on unarmed student protesters. The court also found that she issued direct orders, including the deployment of lethal weapons, drones, and helicopters, to “exterminate” demonstrators.

Hasina was further held responsible for killings, torture, disappearances, and arson carried out by state forces, and for failing to hold perpetrators within her administration accountable. The tribunal emphasised that the attacks were “directed against the civilian population” and were “widespread and systematic,” meeting the legal criteria for crimes against humanity.

According to a United Nations report in February, up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the unrest, while the country’s health adviser under the interim government cited over 800 deaths and around 14,000 injuries. Hasina has disputed these figures and called for an independent investigation.

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