Bangladesh's Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death Penalty

Bangladesh's former prime minister has been handed capital punishment for crimes against humanity due to her severe measures on protests led by students which led to her ousting.

Hasina was declared culpable of allowing lethal force to be used against demonstrators, 1,400 of whom were killed during the disturbances last year.

Legal proceedings were conducted without her presence by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, having been exiled in India following her ouster in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being responsible for hundreds of killings during the protests. Hasina has denied all charges, calling the trial as "prejudiced and driven by politics".

This judgment represents a decisive point for Bangladesh, as the protests brought forth resentment over long-standing suppression. Next of kin of victims and wounded had called for tough penalties.

Responding to the decision in a five-page statement, the former leader stated the execution sentence was the caretaker administration's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a governing body and that she was satisfied of her administration's performance on human rights.

"I have no trepidation to confront those accusing me in a fair court where the proof can be evaluated and tested fairly."

The capital, Dhaka, where the legal proceedings occurred, was under increased safeguards ahead of the verdict on Monday, with numerous opponents of Hasina holding a protest and cheering as the judgment was announced.

Dhaka experienced a recent spike in turmoil, with multiple explosives detonated and public transport vehicles burned in the days leading up to the verdict.

One explosive incident was recorded in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no victims identified, local police official the authorities' representative informed press agencies.

The student-led uprising during 2024 began with calls to eliminate government job quotas but transformed into a wider anti-government movement.

International human rights monitors said in a report in February that the nearly 1,400 casualties could represent "human rights atrocities".

The paper detailed the firing at close quarters of a number of activists, the intentional injuring of additional individuals, unjustified apprehensions and torture.

Disclosed sound files of a telephone conversation involving Hasina confirmed by external reviews in previous months suggested she had sanctioned the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the legal process.

Prior to the ruling, family members of those fatally injured in the unrest stated to media representatives they wanted the former leader to face strict penalties.

One relative, whose brother was shot dead in July 2024, said he wanted "severe penalty" for the former leader and associates who have "engaged in retaliatory actions and exploited their positions".

A different family member, whose spouse died near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted the former leader's punishment to be "implemented before the election".

"Exclusively thereafter the relatives of the deceased [in the protests] will find peace in their minds."

After her departure, an temporary leadership headed by economic expert Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A national vote is scheduled for February 2026.

Nonetheless, the Awami League, her political faction, was banned by Bangladesh's temporary leadership in May.

Hasina warned during the past month that if the her faction's nominees were prohibited from running in the imminent electoral process, millions would boycott the election.

This decision presents a international dilemma for the neighboring countries. Dhaka has formally requested her repatriation but so far India has demonstrated no inclination to comply.

Her officially designated attorney Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "unhappy and desiring the outcome had varied".

"I am unable to challenge because my defendants are not present; for that reason I am disappointed," he added.

Last week, her legal team said they had filed an urgent appeal to the UN highlighting significant due process and legal procedure concerns at the ICT.

Hasina was tried alongside her former home minister and top law enforcement officer.

Even though the verdict offers some closure to relatives of the deceased in the protests, it may have minimal effect on calming the nation's partisan rifts.

"The anger against Hasina and the her political party has not subsided," a Dhaka-based rights activist informed news organizations. "Both she and the organization has apologised or displayed repentance for the killings of hundreds of people."

She said "This complicates matters for the faction to gain approval by a most citizens in this country."

The activist added that the sentence was not closure for the relatives of those killed and injured.

"We work with several people who suffered permanent amputations, they are amputees now, because of the suppression. They are incapable of excusing her."

David Bergman, a journalist and a long-time Bangladesh watcher, said the "very nature of the conviction could make it even more difficult" for her party to become a standard element of Bangladeshi politics again.

This may change if "an expression of regret occurs and a separation from Sheikh Hasina and the previous administration," he expressed.