A special court in Bangladesh has sentenced deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, ruling that she committed “crimes against humanity” during the student uprisings in July-August 2024.
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) delivered the historic verdict on Monday afternoon, finding Hasina and two other top officials guilty, according to local media. The Dhaka Tribune reported that the tribunal found Hasina guilty on all five counts of crimes against humanity, concluding that her orders, incitement, and failure to control the situation led to widespread violence.
The tribunal determined that Hasina, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal planned and enabled the brutal crackdown on student protesters.
The 78-year-old Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile in India, and the trial was conducted in her absence. Asaduzzaman is also believed to be in India. Both were declared fugitives, and the trial proceeded without their presence. Quoting the court, Al Jazeera reported, “Accused Sheikh Hasina, through her provocative orders, committed crimes against humanity and failed to take preventive or punitive steps under Charge No. 1.”
Use of Drones, Helicopters, and Lethal Weapons Ordered
The special tribunal further noted, “Under Charge No. 2, she ordered the use of drones, helicopters, and deadly weapons, which escalated the crimes against humanity.” The verdict was broadcast live on Bangladesh Television from a three-member bench headed by Chief Judge Ghulam Murtaza, with judges Mohammad Sofiul Alam Mahmud and Mohammad Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.
The only accused in custody, former police chief Mamun, was brought to court on Monday morning. He had already been convicted and turned state witness.
Security was heavily deployed around the court premises before the verdict. Families of some victims were present, demanding harsh punishment. The ruling Awami League, Hasina’s party, has since called a nationwide “complete shutdown.” Reports have emerged of sporadic bombings and vehicle burnings in Dhaka and other areas.
ICT-1 found the accused guilty on five charges: massacre of protesters in Dhaka, using drones and helicopters to fire on crowds, murdering student activist Abu Sayed, burning bodies in Ashulia to destroy evidence, and coordinated killings of students in Chankharpul.
The court’s full case file runs 8,747 pages, including references, seized evidence, and detailed victim documentation. Prosecutors accused Hasina of inciting law enforcement agencies and ruling party members to launch systematic attacks on students following her speech at Ganabhaban on July 14, 2024.
According to Dhaka Tribune, the court concluded that Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun incited, directed, or failed to prevent the attacks, which led to murder, attempted murder, and acts of torture. On August 5, 2024, six students were killed when police opened fire in the Chankharpul area of Dhaka, a responsibility the court held squarely on the leadership.
That same day, six people were shot in Ashulia, five of whom were burned, and one burned alive, as documented in court records. Defense attorney Mohammad Amir Hossain dismissed all charges as fabricated, claiming there was no evidence that Sheikh Hasina ordered any killings, and blamed the violence on a “separate group.”
Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024 and has been living in New Delhi, from where she continues to deny all allegations.
