DHAKA, Bangladesh — The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and one of her close allies to death on Monday. This shocking verdict comes after her deadly crackdown on a massive student uprising last year. The student-led movement killed hundreds and ultimately toppled her 15-year rule. The ICT held Hasina accountable for using lethal force against protestors, which resulted in the historic Sheikh Hasina death sentence.
Crimes Against Humanity: The Tribunal’s Ruling
The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka passed the death sentence on Hasina and her former Home Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan. Both faced conviction because they directly ordered the use of deadly force against the student protestors during July and August of 2024.
According to a health adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, the crackdown killed over 800 people and injured approximately 14,000. A later United Nations report in February estimated that the death toll reached up to 1,400 people. The tribunal’s findings hold both Hasina and Khan accountable for these atrocities.
A third suspect, a former police chief, received a five-year prison sentence. He turned state witness against Hasina and pleaded guilty to his involvement, which granted him leniency.
Hasina’s Reaction: A Biased and Political Trial
Hasina, 78, quickly denounced the charges. She argued that the entire process was “biased and politically motivated.”
In a statement, the former Prime Minister claimed that she and Khan “acted in good faith and were trying to minimize the loss of life.” She admitted, “We lost control of the situation, but to characterize what happened as a premeditated assault on citizens is simply to misread the facts.” She also stated, “I mourn all of the deaths… But neither I nor other political leaders ordered the killing of protesters.”
The legal framework is stringent: Hasina cannot appeal the death verdict unless she surrenders or authorities arrest her within 30 days of the judgment.
Will India Extradite Sheikh Hasina and Khan?
Both Hasina and Khan fled to India last year, so the tribunal sentenced them in absentia. The interim government in Bangladesh has already requested New Delhi to send them back.
However, India has so far refused to extradite the pair. New Delhi’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged the verdict but remained noncommittal about handing over the former leaders. Their statement emphasized that India remains “committed to the best interests of people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability.” This refusal has created notable political tension between the two neighboring nations.
(Internal Link: For deeper analysis on the regional security implications, see our [PukaarPakistan/Asia-Security] section.)
Political Aftermath and Instability
The political climate in Bangladesh remains unstable since Hasina’s ousting on August 5, 2024. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as head of the interim government shortly after her fall. He has publicly vowed to punish Hasina and banned the activities of her Awami League party ahead of elections scheduled for February. The three-member tribunal’s ruling sparked audible cheers from the packed courtroom.
Hasina’s long-time rival, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), hailed the verdict. BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called it not just a judgment on Hasina’s crimes, but a “burial of all forms of dictatorship on this country’s soil.” Interim head Yunus also said the verdict offered justice, stating, “No one, regardless of power, is above the law.”
The political turmoil began manifesting in violence almost immediately. Authorities reported nearly 50 arson attacks and dozens of crude bomb explosions nationwide over the past week, with two fatalities confirmed in the arson attacks. Authorities deployed paramilitary border guards and police across Dhaka and other regions, with the Supreme Court even requesting army deployment around the tribunal. Hasina’s Awami League party called for a nationwide shutdown to protest the ruling.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The Sheikh Hasina death sentence verdict marks a defining moment in Bangladesh’s political history. It sets a powerful legal precedent against political leaders accused of human rights abuses, even as it risks further destabilizing the already fragile nation. The focus now shifts to India’s next move regarding extradition and the ability of the interim government to maintain order before the critical elections scheduled for next year.
What do you think about the verdict and the subsequent political instability? Share your perspective in the comments below.