Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina gets death penalty for crimes against humanity

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s student-led agitation that toppled her government. The verdict, delivered on Monday, came after months of testimony presented in her absence, as Hasina has remained in exile and refused to return to face trial.

The tribunal found her guilty on multiple counts, including failure to prevent widespread killings during the 2024 uprising and allegedly ordering the use of drones, helicopters and lethal force against protesters. Prosecutors said up to 1,400 people were killed in the crackdown as she attempted to retain power during the final days of her 15-year rule.

Security was tightened across Dhaka ahead of the judgment, with reports of sporadic violence and crude bomb attacks as tensions rose. The Yunus-led interim government had prepared for unrest, given the polarising nature of the case and the political turmoil that has persisted ahead of national elections expected in February 2026.

Hasina has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, calling the proceedings a “jurisprudential joke.” Her supporters claim the trial is an attempt to eliminate her influence, while the government has asserted that the verdict is based on documented evidence and witness accounts.