Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death for Crimes Against Humanity

 

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death for Crimes Against Humanity

 

In a highly-charged verdict that signals a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal – Bangladesh (ICT-BD) following her ouster and a violent domestic uprising.

 

Key Facts & Timeline

@The verdict was delivered on 17 November 2025, when the tribunal found Hasina guilty of multiple charges including incitement, ordering lethal force, and failing to prevent atrocities during a massive student-led uprising in 2024. 

 

@The uprising, which began as protests over government job quotas, reportedly led to up to 1,400 deaths according to the interim government. 

 

@Hasina, age 78, has been living in exile in India since August 2024 and did not appear at her trial. She denounced the proceedings as “politically motivated”.

 

What It Means

Domestic Implications

@The death-sentence represents the gravest legal action ever taken against a Bangladeshi political leader, raising questions about rule of law, fairness of process, and political motives.

 

@Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel-laureate Muhammad Yunus, is under pressure to hold credible elections in February 2026. The verdict intensifies scrutiny of its legitimacy. 

 

@Security has been tightened across Dhaka and beyond, with resistance and unrest among opposition supporters expected. 

 

International & Regional Fallout

***The verdict has stirred diplomatic tensions, especially between Bangladesh and India, as India may face an extradition request for Hasina. 

 

***International human rights bodies have expressed concern about the use of the death penalty and trial in absentia.

 

What Happens Now?

***Hasina’s legal status remains complicated: though convicted and sentenced, her physical custody is unresolved as she resides in India.

 

***The tribunal’s decision bans her party, the Awami League, from political activity ahead of upcoming elections. 

 

***Bangladesh is now grappling with the challenge of reconciling calls for justice from victims with demands for fair trial standards and political stability. 

 

***The region will closely watch how Bangladesh navigates free and fair elections amidst this high-stakes verdict.

 

In Summary

The sentencing of Sheikh Hasina marks a turning point in Bangladesh’s politics, legal norms, and regional relations. Whether it ushers in a new era of accountability or deepens political polarisation depends on how the government, opposition, judiciary, and international community respond in the coming months.