DHAKA, Nov 17: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia, finding her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s student protests.
The 78-year-old leader, currently residing in India since her government’s ouster on August 5, 2024, was convicted along with her former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Hasina had previously been declared a fugitive, and despite court orders, has not returned to face trial.
The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, delivered the verdict in a heavily guarded courtroom in Dhaka, with the proceedings broadcast live on state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV). The court ruled that there was “beyond reasonable doubt” evidence that Hasina ordered the deadly crackdown on student-led demonstrations from July 15 to August 15, 2024.
The UN had earlier estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed during the unrest, referred to as the July Uprising. The tribunal cited Hasina’s direct involvement in authorizing lethal force against unarmed protesters and making provocative statements during the crisis.
Her co-accused include Asaduzzaman, who is currently in hiding, and Mamun, who is in custody and has admitted guilt. Notably, Mamun has turned state witness—the first instance since the ICT’s formation in 2010.
The prosecution’s case comprises more than 8,700 pages of documentation, including evidence, references, and victim details, sourced from The Dhaka Tribune. The accused faced five charges, including failure to prevent murder, which fall under the category of crimes against humanity in Bangladesh. Prosecutors also sought confiscation of the defendants’ assets for compensation to victims’ families.
In anticipation of the verdict, Dhaka was placed under strict security measures. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali issued a “shoot-at-sight” order against individuals involved in arson or violence. The two-day strike called by the Awami League coincided with increased arson and explosions across the capital, leading to the arrest of 21 party workers in Narayanganj over the past 36 hours, according to The Daily Star.
