Verdict delivered in absentia as Dhaka braces for fresh unrest
A Bangladesh tribunal has handed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina the death penalty, ruling she was responsible for ordering a brutal state crackdown on student-led demonstrations last year that left more than 1,400 people dead. The verdict, delivered in absentia in Dhaka on Monday, marks one of the most consequential political judgments in the country’s history.
The tribunal also sentenced former interior minister Asaduzzaman to death, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a reduced five-year prison sentence after cooperating with the state.
Court Rules Hasina Ordered Use of Helicopters, Drones, Lethal Weapons
According to the judgment, Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by inciting violence, ordering the use of deadly weapons, and failing to prevent or punish those who carried out attacks on protesters.
The court found her guilty on multiple charges, including authorising drone and helicopter attacks, sanctioning lethal force on demonstrators, and inciting public hostility through inflammatory speeches.
One tribunal section stated that Hasina “committed one count of crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons,” while another held her responsible for issuing directives that led to murders and large-scale injuries.
The judgment also declared that the former interior minister and police chief “committed crimes against humanity by carrying out these unlawful orders.”
Ex-IGP Testifies as State Witness
Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun—the only accused present in court—pleaded guilty in July and testified against his co-accused. His cooperation resulted in a commuted five-year prison term.
Hasina and other senior officials fled Bangladesh after the uprising escalated. She has been in India since August 2024.
Prosecutors Cite Targeted Killings, Arson, Aerial Attacks
Prosecutors detailed several specific crimes during the proceedings, including:
- The deliberate killing of student Abu Saeed at Begum Ruqaiya University
- The shooting deaths of six protesters in Dhaka
- The burning alive of six people in Ashulia
- The use of drones and helicopters to target crowds
- Arson attacks allegedly carried out by state forces on civilian areas
Prosecutors argued Hasina was the “mastermind and principal architect” of the crackdown that expanded from Dhaka into a nationwide confrontation over a controversial quota system in government jobs.
Tensions Rise in Dhaka as Verdict Delivered
The verdict was read amid heavy security as thousands gathered in Dhanmondi 32, a symbolic protest site tied to Hasina’s political legacy. Police fired stun grenades to push back crowds attempting to approach locations associated with the former leader.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner issued authorisation for officers to use firearms if protesters engage in arson or use crude explosives. The order followed a week marked by more than 40 arson attacks and dozens of crude bomb blasts.
Military personnel have been deployed across sections of the capital to prevent further escalation.
Hasina’s Party Barred, Unrest Likely to Rise Ahead of Polls
Hasina’s Awami League remains barred from contesting upcoming elections. Political observers warn that the verdict could trigger further instability as opposition groups mobilise and supporters condemn what they describe as a politically charged ruling.
Hasina’s son and adviser, Sajeeb Wazed, has stated they will not appeal the verdict unless a democratically elected government takes office with the Awami League’s participation.
Appeal Still Possible
Although the tribunal’s ruling is definitive, the former premier retains the right to appeal the death sentence in the Bangladesh Supreme Court—a process that cannot begin unless she formally submits from abroad or returns to the country.
For now, Dhaka remains on edge as authorities brace for continued protests and potential street mobilisation.