Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death in Absentia
A court in Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of crimes against humanity related to a violent crackdown on anti-government protests in 2024. The International Crimes Tribunal found Hasina guilty on all five counts, including murder, extermination, torture, and other inhumane acts.
Political Turmoil and Student-Led Uprising
Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years, was ousted from power following a student-led uprising last year. The protests began as a student movement, eventually escalating into a mass uprising that resulted in the death of around 1,400 people. In response, Hasina's government ordered a deadly crackdown, which ultimately led to her downfall and subsequent exile to India.
Charges and Verdict
The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate. They are biased and politically motivated,
Hasina said in a statement. Despite her defiance, the three-judge bench of the country’s international crimes tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity, including ordering the use of deadly weapons against protesters.
Apart from Hasina, the prosecution had also sought the death penalty for former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan. However, no penalty was recommended for a third suspect – a former police chief who became a state witness and pleaded guilty.
Reactions and Implications
The verdict has sparked unrest in Bangladesh, with at least 50 people injured in riots in the capital. Analysts suggest that the verdict could potentially fuel an already combustible political climate ahead of national elections.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's request for the extradition of Hasina from India is unlikely to be accepted. Hasina, 78, has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. She, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, is facing the death penalty in her own country for crimes against humanity.
Current Status
Sheikh Hasina remains in India, condemning the verdict and maintaining her innocence. The case, which has drawn international attention, continues to exacerbate political tensions in Bangladesh, with the country bracing itself for the potential fallout of this landmark verdict.