A special court in Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 78, to death following a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year. Two other officials were also convicted in connection with crimes against humanity.
The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka ruled that up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands more injured during the government’s attempt to suppress protests aimed at maintaining power. The verdict was announced live on national television less than three months before the country’s first elections since Hasina’s overthrow and flight to India in August 2024.
Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder stated:
“All elements constituting crimes against humanity have been met,” declaring Hasina guilty of instigation, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities.
“We have decided to impose only one sentence – death.”
Former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was also sentenced to death, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who admitted guilt in court, received five years in prison.
The sentence for Hasina was met with cheers and applause from those present in the courtroom.
