Poonam Sharma
In a dramatic and unprecedented verdict, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity. The ruling, arguably one of the most consequential judgments in recent political history, also pronounced former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death on the same charges.
The tribunal declared that Hasina was the “mastermind” behind a series of violent crackdowns during the nationwide student uprising of July–August 2024, which eventually saw her government being toppled in a military-backed political rebellion.
Charges and Evidence Against Hasina
The ICT’s detailed judgment reported that the prosecution presented several tiers of digital and testimonial evidence. It stated:
Video recordings allegedly showing Hasina issuing targeted killing orders
Direct orders to security forces to use live ammunition against student protesters
Orders authorizing the use of helicopters and drones to suppress demonstrators
A pattern of political repression that entailed the forceful removal of journalists, opposition leaders, and civil society activists critical of her government.
The tribunal said that “the evidence establishes a systematic policy of state-sanctioned violence,” and that the former prime minister had “command responsibility” for deaths and disappearances during the student revolt.
As the uprising spiraled out of control, Hasina fled Bangladesh in late 2024, first taking temporary refuge at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka before being transferred to New Delhi on emergency humanitarian grounds. She has been staying in India for almost 15 months pending the outcome of various international legal and political negotiations.
A Nation on Edge: Bangladesh Braces for Unrest
Following the verdict announcement, security agencies across Bangladesh went into high alert. According to authorities, violence was likely as Hasina still retains a loyal support base within the previous ruling party, the Awami League.
A senior police spokesperson confirmed:
Additional personnel have been deployed in all sensitive districts.
City-wide checkpoints have been activated in Dhaka
Battalions of riot-control and rapid-action troops are kept on permanent standby around the clock.
The heightened alert follows a week of increasing tensions. In the past seven days, Bangladesh has seen the following events.
Nearly 40 arson attacks targeting buses and public transport.
A series of IED explosions
The deaths of two civilians in politically linked violence
Fears of renewed clashes loom large with the court verdict adding fresh fuel to an already volatile national mood.
Political and International Reactions
The sentencing of a former prime minister — and one of Bangladesh’s most influential political figures — is bound to have profound regional and international implications.
Within Bangladesh
Supporters of the post-revolt interim government describe the verdict as “historic justice” for the victims of state brutality. Victims groups welcomed the decision as a necessary step toward “resetting the moral foundation of the republic.”
However, Awami League loyalists and several human rights advocates have indeed raised questions as to whether the tribunal operated completely neutrally, given the politically charged environment in the post-2024 transition.
India’s Role Under Scrutiny
India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina for more than a year is likely to come under focus now. New Delhi has not yet made an official reaction, but its officials privately concede that the judgment creates “a sensitive diplomatic situation.”
Hasina, long considered India’s most reliable political ally in Dhaka, is now a convicted figure facing capital punishment. Regional experts note that India may be pressured internationally to clarify her status and possible extradition.
Reactions Expected Globally
International human rights organizations are preparing statements. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly criticized ICT in the past for procedural shortcomings, and they may call for a review of the death penalty.
The United Nations may also weigh in, given the charges involve crimes against humanity, an area where international appellate mechanisms can occasionally come into play.
A Turning Point for Bangladesh
For Bangladesh, the verdict is a significant departure from its past. Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who presided over the country for almost 20 years of dispersed terms, has now become the most high-profile political leader to be sentenced to death since the creation of the tribunal.
What started as a student uprising in 2024 over quota reforms soon engulfed the entire country as an anti-government movement sparked by widespread anger over corruption, authoritarianism, and alleged manipulation of elections. The revolt finally toppled the government of the Awami League and cleared the path for a transitional administration supported by the military and civil society.
The verdict today, whether seen as justice being served or politically motivated, will dictate the course of Bangladesh’s political landscape for years to come.
What Happens Next?
The enforcement of the verdict against Hasina, now in India, will depend on complex legal and diplomatic negotiations. Her lawyers are expected to file appeals with immediate effect, and the international community may push for a stay on execution. Meanwhile, Dhaka remains tense. As the night falls, Bangladesh stands at a critical crossroads–torn between the pursuit of justice, the fear of unrest, and the deep uncertainties of a nation recovering from political trauma.
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