Historic Verdict: Bangladesh Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death

On November 16, 2025, Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal after being found guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024 that toppled her 15-year regime. Hasina, who has been living in exile in India since August last year, was tried in absentia alongside her former interior minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

Trial and Charges

The special tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered its verdict in a televised hearing amid heightened security in Dhaka. Hasina and her co-accused were charged with crimes against humanity for inciting and ordering violence that resulted in over 1,400 deaths during the July-August 2024 protests, according to United Nations estimates. The court heard testimony from 54 witnesses over 28 days, with prosecutors describing Hasina as the “mastermind and chief architect” behind violent repression of demonstrators.

Hasina’s Response

Hasina has denied all charges, repeatedly dismissing the tribunal as a “kangaroo court” and alleging the case was politically motivated to remove her from Bangladesh’s political landscape. In a statement released before the verdict, Hasina said, “Allah gave life, He will take it. I do not care about such verdicts,” maintaining she was denied a fair defense and labeling the entire process as biased.

International and Domestic Reaction

The verdict sparked unrest in Dhaka and nationwide security alerts. Governments and organizations worldwide are watching closely, with the United Nations renewing calls for calm and due process. The US State Department reiterated its support for democratic process and human rights in Bangladesh, while European leaders expressed concern about escalating violence and called for restraint.

India was formally asked to extradite Hasina, but New Delhi has yet to respond. Hasina’s supporters in Bangladesh continue to protest, claiming the charges are part of a politically vindictive effort by the interim government under Muhammad Yunus to sideline opposition ahead of the country’s elections in February 2026.

Background and Implications

The July-August 2024 uprising was one of Bangladesh’s bloodiest since independence, leading to Hasina’s ouster and a period of intense political instability. The tribunal’s ruling has further polarized the country and raised international concern about Bangladesh’s political future, human rights standards, and rule of law.