A special tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, citing charges of crimes against humanity linked to a mass uprising that culminated in her ousting from power last year after a 15-year rule. The verdict, delivered on Monday in Dhaka, has sent shockwaves through the nation and ignited a wave of protests, with Hasina’s Awami League party calling for a nationwide shutdown as a response.
The atmosphere was tense in Dhaka and across the country ahead of the announcement, as the interim government bolstered security measures, deploying soldiers, paramilitary forces, and police in various locations. Hasina, who has been living in exile in India, was tried in absentia, and she has vehemently criticized the tribunal, labeling it a “kangaroo court.”
The tribunal pursued the death penalty not only for Hasina but also for a former home minister, both of whom are alleged to have played pivotal roles in the violent crackdown during the student-led uprising between July and August of 2024, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of fatalities. According to a UN report, up to 1,400 casualties have been attributed to this unrest, with the country’s health advisor stating that over 800 people were killed, accompanied by approximately 14,000 injuries.
As unrest grew in anticipation of the verdict, there were incidents of violence reported, including crude bomb explosions and arson attacks, leading to ongoing class disruptions and challenges in transportation. Dhaka’s police chief issued a “shoot-on-sight” order aimed at anyone attempting to engage in violent acts, as reports indicated at least two deaths from recent arson attacks.
The verdict is particularly critical as it marks a decisive moment in Bangladesh’s political trajectory, which has been fraught with instability under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. Since taking power after Hasina’s ousting, Yunus has vowed to conduct national elections in February, although he has stated that Hasina’s party will not be permitted to participate.
As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, citizens are grappling with the implications of the verdict and the uncertainty surrounding the future of their political landscape.