In a shocking turn of events, Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of crimes against humanity. The verdict comes over her government’s violent crackdown on student protests last year, which led to the collapse of her administration.
A panel of three judges from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) announced the ruling Monday. They said Hasina was responsible for ordering and inciting extrajudicial killings, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured. “Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by inciting and ordering violence against protesting students,” one judge said.
The unrest began as peaceful demonstrations over civil service job quotas but escalated into nationwide protests demanding her resignation. Reports suggest up to 1,400 people were killed and 25,000 injured during the crackdown, according to the UN human rights office.
Hasina, who has been living in self-imposed exile in India since August 2024, strongly rejected the verdict. Through a statement shared by her Awami League party, she called the tribunal “biased and politically motivated” and said, “I am proud of my government’s record on human rights and development.”
Meanwhile, the interim Bangladeshi government has requested her extradition from India, though New Delhi has not responded. Security remains tight across Dhaka as protests continue. Supporters of Hasina’s party have warned they may block upcoming elections if the Awami League remains banned, hinting at potential unrest.
Sheikh Hasina’s political story is one of tragedy, exile, and power. The eldest daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she witnessed her family’s assassination in 1975 and returned from exile to lead the Awami League. She governed Bangladesh from 2009 until her ouster in 2024, overseeing significant economic growth but facing allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses.
The latest ruling marks a critical moment in Bangladesh’s history. Analysts warn it could trigger political chaos ahead of elections next year, raising questions about the future of democracy in the country.
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