Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death in Bangladesh for Historical Violations

Mon Dec 01 2025 00:34:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to death by a special tribunal for crimes against humanity related to violent protests leading to her ousting.

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's ousted leader, has been sentenced to death amidst accusations of allowing the use of lethal force against protesters. The ruling could significantly impact the nation's political landscape as it navigates divisions and calls for justice following the violent uproar that led to her departure from power.

Bangladesh's former prime minister has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity over her crackdown on student-led protests that led to her ousting. Sheikh Hasina was found guilty of allowing lethal force to be used against protesters, 1,400 of whom died during the unrest last year.

Hasina was tried in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, having been exiled in India since she was forced from power in July 2024. Prosecutors accused her of being behind hundreds of killings during the protests. Hasina has denied all charges, calling the trial biased and politically motivated.

The verdict marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over years of repression. Families of those killed and injured had called for tough penalties. In her response to the verdict, Hasina described the death penalty as an attempt by the interim government to remove her party, the Awami League, from the political scene.

In the capital, Dhaka, security was heightened ahead of the verdict, as many of Hasina's critics gathered to rally and cheer when the ruling was announced. Following a surge in unrest prior to the verdict, Dhaka experienced bomb blasts, with authorities confirming at least one explosion on the day of the ruling.

The student-led uprising began as a demand to abolish government job quotas and shifted into a broader anti-government movement. UN human rights investigators have stated that the reported 1,400 deaths could amount to crimes against humanity due to documented instances of excessive police violence, arbitrary arrests, and torture.

Hasina's trial coupled with her sentencing poses diplomatic challenges for India and may influence the future political dynamics within Bangladesh, where an interim government has taken charge with elections scheduled for February 2026.

While the decision provides some finality for victims' families, it remains to be seen if it can heal the deep divides within Bangladeshi politics, with ongoing calls for accountability and justice.