In a dramatic ruling that has sent shockwaves through Bangladesh’s political landscape, a Dhaka court on Monday sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, concluding a months-long trial that accused her of orchestrating a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.
Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder announced the verdict before a packed courtroom, stating that Hasina had been convicted on three charges: incitement, issuing orders that resulted in killings, and failing to prevent widespread violence. “We have decided to impose a single sentence — the death penalty,” he said.
The decision comes at a volatile moment for the nation, with parliamentary elections expected in early February. Analysts fear the ruling may inflame political tensions and spark new unrest ahead of the polls. Hasina’s Awami League has already been barred from participating in the upcoming vote.
The judgment was issued by the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh’s domestic war-crimes court, under heavy security and in Hasina’s absence. Her party and supporters have warned that the ruling could destabilize the already tense political climate, especially with the election only weeks away.
With the nation bracing for potential turbulence, observers say Monday’s decision marks one of the most consequential—and divisive—moments in Bangladesh’s recent political history.
Hasina Rejects the Verdict From Exile
Now 78, Hasina dismissed the judgment as “biased and politically motivated” in a statement released from India, where she has been living in hiding since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. She had refused to comply with a court order to return for the trial.
According to her statement, the former prime minister accused the current authorities of manipulating the justice system for political gain. “The verdicts issued against me were delivered by a biased tribunal created and controlled by an unelected government that lacks any real democratic mandate,” she said.
Hasina insisted she was denied a fair opportunity to defend herself and expressed willingness to stand trial before what she called a legitimate, independent court. While acknowledging that her government lost control during last year’s unrest, she rejected claims that she had orchestrated a deliberate assault on civilians.
