Death Sentence for Bangladesh ex-PM Sheikh Hasina

Accused of crimes against humanity by ordering killings during last year’s violence

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) delivered their verdict of a death sentence for the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She has been accused of crimes against humanity by her incitement, order killing and failure to take punitive measures during the alleged students’ movement and consequent violence. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has also been sentenced to death for killing 12 people. The third accused, viz. Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has been convicted to five years’ imprisonment. He has become a prosecution witness and is currently in jail. The Court has ordered the seizure of all properties belonging to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan. After being ousted from power on 05.08.2025, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan left the country, and both leaders have been staying in India for the past 15 months.

It may be mentioned that Sheikh Hasina had established ICT when she was the Prime Minister. It was set up in 2010 to conduct an inquiry and file cases against the offenders of the crimes during the Bangladesh Mukti war of 1971 and the genocide committed at that time.

Verdict is wrong and biased – Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina reacted to the Court’s verdict that it is unjust, biased and politically motivated. It has been passed by a tribunal run by a non-elected Government. It is not the people’s verdict. I never got a chance to present my side. People, however, know that the whole investigation is not into the actual incidents but an attempt to target the Awami League Party. During Yunus’s regime, the Police and judicial systems have become weak. Attacks on the supporters of the Awami League and minority Hindus have increased. Women’s rights are suppressed, and the influence of extremists has increased. Nobody has elected Dr Yunus. The next elections in Bangladesh should be free and impartial.

My mother is safe in India – Sajeeb Wazed, Sheikh Hasina’s son

Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed had told journalists a few days ago that he knew his mother would be sentenced to death. She is safe in India, and the Indian security organisations would provide complete protection to her.

Shoot on sight orders

Sporadic violence has erupted in Bangladesh two days before the verdict was to be declared. The activists of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League Party staged violent demonstrations against the Government; therefore, the Police were instructed to shoot on sight. As a result, there was peace everywhere on the day the verdict was declared.