A Bangladesh court sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to 6 months in prison in a contempt of court case, local media reported on July 2.
The order, pronounced by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT), found the deposed premier in contempt of the court for her remarks that were deemed 'obstructive' to the judicial proceedings.
The three-member tribunal was led by Justice Mohammad Golam Mortuza Mozumder and the order was pronounced after reviewing a leaked phone conversation between the former PM and a local official, The Daily Star reported.
The audio clip became viral on the social media and was later picked up the mainstream media outlets, the Bangladesh portal said.
In the leaked audio clip, Hasina reportedly told the former chairman of Gobindaganj upazila Shakil Akanda Bulbul that she had 227 cases filed against her, which gave her the “licence to kill 227 people”, the report said.
The remarks were considered to be contemptuous and an attempt to undermine the court, The Daily Star said.
The report said the sentence, which will be categorised as non-rigorous, could take effect only when Hasina surrenders herself before the court or the government agencies.
In the same verdict, the tribunal sentenced Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha to two months in prison.
This marks the first time that the ousted Awami League leader has been sentenced in any case since she left office and fled the country 11 months ago.
With PTI inputs
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