Bangladesh News: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death for 'crimes against humanity'; Yunus says ‘no one is above the law’

Bangladesh’s Interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus said on Monday that the death sentence handed to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reinforces the core idea that no individual is “above the law.”

“The conviction and sentencing affirm a fundamental principle: no one, regardless of power, is above the law. This verdict offers vital, if insufficient, justice to the thousands harmed in the uprising of July and August 2024, and to the families who still carry their loss,” Yunus said in his statement.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, sentenced to death for “crimes against humanity” over last year’s deadly crackdown on student protests, called the verdict “rigged, biased and politically motivated.” In a written statement, she accused the unelected interim government of using the tribunal to target her personally and weaken the Awami League, describing the ruling as an attack on Bangladesh’s last elected leadership.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for her role in the 2024 student-led protests, finding her guilty on three counts, including ordering killings and inciting violence.

Hasina, 78, remains in exile in India along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, while ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received five years in prison.

The interim government has formally requested her extradition, but India has yet to respond, balancing diplomatic ties with Hasina against regional stability concerns ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 elections. (Read more)

Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, alongside Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to death by a Bangladesh court for alleged crimes against humanity during last year’s student-led protests. Kamal, a 1971 Liberation War veteran, called the proceedings “pure drama” and claimed the charges are a conspiracy for revenge, disputing the reliability of digital evidence.

He criticised the lack of judicial transparency, alleging that the chief justice prepared the judgment independently and questioning the credibility of the entire case. (Read more)

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami welcomed the death sentence handed to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal. "Today is an important day for Bangladesh," said party leader Mia Golam Parwar. He also remembered and paid tribute to the martyrs of the July 2024 student-led agitation, describing their sacrifice as pivotal in the country's recent political history.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) has found former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s student-led protests. The court convicted her on three counts, ruling that she could face the death penalty.

Under Charge One, Hasina is sentenced to life imprisonment, while the other counts involve incitement, issuing unlawful orders, and authorising killings. The verdict marks a landmark moment in Bangladesh’s judicial history and comes amid heightened security across Dhaka. Hasina, 78, defied court orders to return from India to attend her trial, citing the proceedings as politically motivated.

Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was the only accused present in court during the verdict. He had pleaded guilty in July and testified as the state’s witness. Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina and ex-interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal remain in hiding.

Count 1 accuses them of murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts, asserting that they abetted, incited, facilitated, and were complicit in crimes carried out against civilians by law enforcement personnel and Awami League–affiliated armed groups, while also failing to prevent these offences.

Count 2 alleges that they ordered the use of lethal weapons, helicopters, and drones to suppress student protesters, thereby bearing superior command responsibility and engaging in conspiracy and facilitation.

Count 3 concerns the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed on 16 July, which prosecutors say was carried out under their orders and encouragement.

Count 4 charges them with orchestrating the murder of six unarmed protesters in Chankharpul on 5 August.

Count 5 accuses the trio of shooting dead five protesters, injuring another, and burning bodies, implicating them through instigation, facilitation, and complicity.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has found former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s student protests. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun face the same charges, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty for all three. The court highlighted Hasina’s alleged direct role in the crackdown, including ordering lethal force, intimidation, and blocking medical treatment for injured protesters. (Read more)

Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdh, brother of a student killed in last year’s Bangladesh protests, called for the “maximum penalty” for ex-PM Sheikh Hasina, saying, “The people gave their verdict on August 5 [2024], we now await the court’s.”

Bangladesh’s ICT held former PM Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty for her and two aides. (Read more)

The ICT heard testimonies claiming injured protesters were denied proper medical care, with bullets reportedly fired from helicopters.

The Bangladesh court, in its detailed order, held former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responsible for crimes against humanity during the July 2024 uprising. The tribunal cited her alleged direct involvement, including a telephonic conversation with the Mayor of Dhaka South on 18 July, instructing law enforcement to target armed civilian protesters.

Authorities reportedly deployed drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons on her orders, while also directing arrests of demonstrators. The court highlighted widespread intimidation, torture of students, and video evidence showing police firing under her regime.

Hasina, along with the then Home Minister and Inspector General of Police, was found collectively responsible for the violent crackdown. Bangladesh remains on high alert as the verdict stirs political tensions across the country.

A Bangladesh court has ruled that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity. The court cited her alleged incitement of violence that led to the killing of students. Judges referenced her remarks about freedom fighters’ grandchildren and Razakars during a July press conference. Allegations also include ordering harsh action against protesters and a telephonic conversation with a university vice-president. These findings form the basis of the charges being formally advanced against Hasina.

The International Crimes Tribunal is delivering its verdict today against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over alleged crimes against humanity during the July 2024 mass uprising.

Sajeeb Wazed, son and adviser of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, warned that Awami League supporters could block February’s national election if the party remains banned, saying protests may turn violent. Speaking to Reuters ahead of a Dhaka court verdict, Wazed said, “We know exactly what the verdict is going to be. They're televising it. They're going to convict her, and they'll probably sentence her to death.”

She has lived in exile in New Delhi since August 2024. Wazed added, “What can they do to my mother? My mother is safe in India. India is giving her full security.” (Read more)

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 78, faces multiple charges, including murder, corruption, and abuse of power, following her removal in August 2024. The International Crimes Tribunal is set to deliver its verdict on five counts of alleged crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July Uprising.

Hasina is accused of ordering the shooting of unarmed student protesters, deploying lethal weapons, helicopters, and drones, and making inflammatory remarks that fueled the crackdown. Specific charges involve killings in Rangpur and Dhaka, including six unarmed students, and allegedly ordering the “extermination” of protesters. Prosecutors seek the death penalty, while her defence claims political motivation. (Read more)