Bangladesh plunged deeper into political crisis on Monday after a special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s deadly student uprising. The ruling, delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal, also imposed a death sentence on former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan. Both were tried in absentia after fleeing to India following Hasina’s ouster in August 2024, which ended her 15-year rule.
The tribunal found Hasina and Khan responsible for the killing of hundreds of protesters during massive student-led demonstrations in July and August of 2024. The interim government’s health adviser previously estimated more than 800 deaths and 14,000 injuries, while a United Nations report this year suggested the toll may have reached 1,400. A former police chief who turned state witness and pleaded guilty received a five-year prison sentence.
Following the verdict, Hasina issued a strongly worded statement rejecting the charges as “biased and politically motivated.” She said she and her government acted in “good faith” during the unrest and denied ordering any violence. “I mourn all of the deaths that occurred … but neither I nor other political leaders ordered the killing of protesters,” she said.
Her removal from office on Aug. 5, 2024, was followed three days later by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus taking charge of an interim government. Yunus has vowed to hold Hasina accountable and has already banned her Awami League party from political activities. Monday’s ruling was announced by a three-member tribunal led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder and broadcast live, prompting emotional reactions from victims’ families waiting outside the courthouse.
Security across Dhaka was tightened ahead of the verdict with heavy deployments of paramilitary units and police. Hasina’s supporters called for a nationwide shutdown, while violent clashes erupted near her father’s home-turned-museum, where opponents attempted to demolish the already damaged structure. Police used batons and stun grenades to disperse crowds as tensions escalated.
Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, now in the United States, dismissed the court ruling as “a joke and meaningless,” insisting the verdict would not stand once “rule of law returns to Bangladesh.” India has so far not responded to Bangladesh’s request to extradite Hasina, and she is considered unlikely to return voluntarily. She must surrender or be arrested within 30 days to appeal the sentence.
The days leading up to the verdict saw an uptick in violence, including nearly 50 arson attacks and numerous crude bomb explosions. Two people were killed in the unrest. As the interim government promises elections in February—elections in which the Awami League will not be allowed to participate—Bangladesh remains deeply divided and politically fragile.