Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death on Crimes Against Humanity Charges

Dhaka — Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday handed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a death sentence after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July demonstrations.

The tribunal also convicted two senior members of her former administration — ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Mamun has been granted a pardon, the court said he would still receive a “lenient sentence” given the gravity of the offences.

The detailed verdict spans 453 pages and was still being read out at the time of reporting.

Accused Not Present in Court

Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly defied court orders and has not returned to Bangladesh to stand trial. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is also a fugitive. Mamun, however, is in custody, has pleaded guilty, and has become a state witness — the first to do so since the ICT was formed in 2010.

Trial Broadcast Live

The judgment is being broadcast live by Bangladesh Television (BTV) from the ICT courtroom. The three-member Tribunal-1 bench is led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

Formal charge documents in the case run into 8,747 pages, containing references, evidence, and an extensive list of victims, according to The Dhaka Tribune.

Charges and Penalties

Prosecutors filed five charges, including failing to prevent murders — an offence classified as crimes against humanity under Bangladeshi law. They sought the death penalty for all defendants.

They also requested the confiscation of the accused’s assets, to be distributed to victims' families upon conviction.

Hasina has consistently rejected all allegations against her.

Security Clampdown Across Dhaka

Tension in Dhaka has escalated dramatically. On Sunday evening, DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali issued a shoot-at-sight order targeting individuals involved in arson, explosions, or attempts to harm civilians or police ahead of the verdict.

The capital is already witnessing increased violence during a two-day Awami League strike (Nov 16–17), marked by a rise in arson and cocktail bomb attacks.

In the last 36 hours, at least 21 Awami League leaders and workers — currently banned from political activities — were arrested in Narayanganj during special police operations, The Daily Star reported.

With inputs from IANS