Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal on Monday sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity. Hence, it has become a historic and highly controversial verdict in the world. However, the ruling concludes months of intense legal proceedings to the deadly student-led uprising that shook the nation in mid-2024.
On the other side, the court has also handed down a death sentence to the former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. However, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year jail term. Plus, Mamun, who turned approver and sought public apology, was pardoned from harsher punishment.
The landmark decision was delivered in the absence of Hasina. However, it came just months before Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections in early February. Therefore, it has raised a fresh tension of renewed unrest in the nation.
Sheikh Hasina Tried in Absentia After Fleeing to India
Sheikh Hasina, 78, fled Bangladesh on August 4, 2024, amid escalating violence and public anger over her government’s handling of nationwide student protests. Moreover, she had reportedly been living in India since then. However, Hasina and Kamal were declared fugitives by the court.
The tribal proceeded with the trial in absentia under heavy security in Dhaka. Moreover, streets leading to the court were cordoned off. However, the nation witnessed many crude bomb blasts and vehicles set on fire in the days leading up to the verdict,
The state-appointed lawyer insisted the charges were politically motivated and ask for her acquittal. However, Hasina repeatedly claimed that the outcome was a foregone conclusion and criticised the fairness of the proceedings.
What the Court Found: Incitement, Kill Orders, and Failure to Prevent Atrocities
The three-member bench, headed by Justice Mohd Golam Mortuza Majumder, convicted Hasina on three major counts, including incitement, ordering lethal force, and failure to prevent mass atrocities.
The tribunal found that Hasina directly ordered the elimination of protesting students during the July–August 2024 uprising, which the UN described as Bangladesh’s worst violence since the 1971 independence war.
According to the UN estimates, up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 5, 2024. Moreover, thousands more suffered injuries after security forces launched a widespread crackdown. However, the injuries were mostly from the gunfire.
The court highlighted that Hasina labelled protesting students as Razakars, which identifies the public anger. However, prosecutors argued that this derogatory term indirectly instigated attacks by Awami League-linked groups, including the Chhatra League and Juba League.
The tribunal also said Hasina ordered the use of drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons to track and kill demonstrators across Dhaka and other cities.
Political Fallout: Awami League Barred, Tensions High Before Elections
The verdict has added a new layer of uncertainty to the vital political landscape of Bangladesh. Moreover, the Awami League, once a ruling party, has already been barred from contesting the upcoming elections.
Hasina’s son and adviser, Sajeeb Wazed, told Reuters that the family would not appeal unless the democratically elected government takes office with Awami League participation. Moreover, the verdict can be appealed in the Supreme Court under the legal system of the nation.
On the other side, security forces, including the army and Border Guard Bangladesh, have been deployed nationwide. Moreover, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has also issued a shoot-to-kill order for anyone involved in arson, explosions, or attacks on civilians and police.
What’s Next? Extradition Demand and Regional Implications
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Kamal. However, India has not responded to the request yet.
This verdict against Sheikh Hasina is a dramatic moment of the political history of the nation for the UAE’s large Bangladeshi expatriate community. In addition, the case might influence regional stability, labour mobility, and diplomatic relations of Bangladesh, depending on how the situation evolves in the coming months.
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