Committed crimes against humanity; Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to death

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has handed down a death sentence to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, finding her guilty of committing crimes against humanity during last year’s student protests. Following the verdict, the Yunus-led government has increased security across the country.

The tribunal also found former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah al Mamun guilty. According to the court, all three were responsible for the killings, abductions, rapes, and torture that took place during the July-August 2024 protests. This marks the first time a Bangladeshi prime minister has been sentenced for crimes against humanity. Following the student protests, Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 last year.

Before Hasina was ousted, more than 1,500 people, including police officers, were killed in the student protests. The anti-reservation protests led by students eventually brought down Hasina’s government.

Meanwhile, in an audio message posted on her Awami League party’s Facebook page, Hasina urged her supporters to continue the fight against the government. Despite the ban on the party, she called on them to resist. “There is nothing to fear. I am alive. I will remain alive. I will stand with the people of this country,” she said.