Sheikh Hasina

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a ruling that has sent shockwaves through the country’s already volatile political landscape.

The tribunal found Hasina responsible for a “coordinated, widespread and systematic attack” on student protesters during the July–August 2024 uprising that led to the collapse of her government. Prosecutors argued that security forces under her leadership carried out lethal assaults against demonstrators, citing helicopter deployments and the use of excessive force in dispersing crowds.

Hasina fled to New Delhi shortly after being ousted. From exile, she has rejected the charges, calling the tribunal a “kangaroo court” and insisting the accusations are fabricated and politically motivated. She and her party, the Awami League, maintain she never ordered violence against protesters and that the case is part of a broader campaign to dismantle the party.

The verdict has further escalated tensions across Bangladesh. Awami League officials are preparing nationwide protests, while the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is reportedly exploring additional legal actions following the conviction.

International human rights groups have also expressed concern over the fairness of the trial, noting that Hasina was tried entirely in absentia.

The ruling marks a pivotal and contentious moment in Bangladesh’s political transition, raising questions about due process, accountability, and the long-term stability of the country following the fall of one of its longest-serving leaders.