Dhaka, Bangladesh — Bangladesh entered a tense and uncertain chapter on Monday as a special tribunal delivered a death sentence in absentia to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s deadly student-led uprising. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan received the same sentence, intensifying the political shockwaves across the nation.
The verdict, delivered under heavy security, stems from the massive pro-democracy protests that erupted in mid-2024. What began as a student movement rapidly expanded nationwide, ultimately bringing down Hasina’s 15-year rule. The government crackdown that followed left hundreds dead, with independent counts placing the toll well above official figures.
A Day of Unprecedented Security
Hours before the tribunal announced its decision, Dhaka was transformed into a city under lockdown. Police checkpoints sprouted at major intersections, soldiers patrolled highways, and elite forces were stationed around government buildings and courts. Vehicles were thoroughly searched, roads monitored, and pedestrian routes closely watched for any sign of unrest.
Authorities insisted the precautions were necessary to prevent violence, as the verdict had the potential to ignite fresh protests from both supporters and opponents of the former prime minister.
Inside the Tribunal’s Decision
The three-member panel declared Hasina and Khan responsible for authorizing the excessive use of force during the 2024 uprising. The court concluded that their actions — including ordering police and paramilitary units to open fire on demonstrators — amounted to crimes against humanity.
Both defendants were tried in absentia, having left the country shortly after their government collapsed. A former police chief who cooperated with investigators received a reduced prison sentence for providing evidence.
The ruling is one of the most consequential in Bangladesh’s judicial history and signals a new phase in the state’s effort to address abuses committed during past administrations.
Hasina Denounces the Verdict
From exile, Sheikh Hasina condemned the ruling as a politically engineered attack designed to erase her legacy. She reiterated that her government had acted to maintain order during a moment of national crisis. Her supporters echoed that sentiment, describing the tribunal as biased and illegitimate.
The banned Awami League, once Bangladesh’s most powerful political force, declared the sentencing a “dark day for democracy” and accused the interim authorities of weaponizing the justice system. Even before the verdict, the party had called for countrywide demonstrations and work stoppages.
Interim Government Asserts Legitimacy
The current transitional administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, maintains that the trial followed due process. Officials argue that the country must confront past abuses in order to rebuild democratic institutions and restore public trust.
The government has also renewed its call for Hasina to return to Bangladesh to face justice directly. Senior ministers claim they will continue efforts to negotiate her extradition with neighboring countries.
What Comes Next for Bangladesh
The sentencing deepens an already volatile political climate in Bangladesh. Supporters of the former prime minister view the ruling as a turning point toward authoritarianism, while others believe it marks the beginning of long-awaited accountability after years of alleged repression.
Analysts warn that the divide between Hasina’s loyalists and the interim administration may widen, potentially destabilizing the nation further. The coming weeks will test the government’s ability to maintain order while also steering the country toward elections and long-term stability.
For now, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads — struggling to confront its past while trying to shape an uncertain future.
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