A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Monday sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death. She was found guilty of crimes against humanity connected to last year’s mass uprising, which left hundreds of people dead and brought an end to her 15 years in power.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was also sentenced to death. A third defendant, a former police chief who cooperated with investigators, received a five-year jail term after admitting guilt.
The verdict was announced in Dhaka and shown live on television.
Before the ruling, the interim government increased security across the country. Paramilitary forces and police were deployed in Dhaka and other major areas.
Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has declared a nationwide shutdown to protest the judgment.
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Hasina and Khan, who are currently in exile in India, were tried in their absence. Both have dismissed the trial as unfair and described the tribunal as a “kangaroo court.” They also criticised the state-appointed lawyer who represented Hasina.
The charges relate to the student-led protests between July and August 2024, which turned violent and caused many deaths. A United Nations report released in February estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed. An adviser to the interim government said more than 800 died and about 14,000 were injured.
Last week, the tribunal set Monday as the date for the verdict after new violence broke out. There were bomb attacks and arson incidents that disrupted classes and transport following an Awami League declaration of a “lockdown.”
Before the court decision, the Awami League renewed its call for a shutdown. In an audio message, Hasina told supporters not to be afraid of the verdict.
