Bangladesh Court Sentences Sheikh Hasina To 21 Years in Prison In Three Graft Cases

A Bangladesh court on Thursday handed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina a combined sentence of 21 years in prison after finding her guilty in three corruption cases linked to the controversial allotment of government plots under the Purbachal New City Project. The cases, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) earlier this year, accused Hasina and several members of her family of abusing power to unlawfully secure land plots in the capital’s Purbachalarea.

The state prosecutors said the plots were allotted without any application, proper authority, or legal justification, and that it was a violation of the existing set procedures within RAJUK. Special Judge-5 Mohammd Abdullah Al Mamun, who conducted the trial, pronounced that Hasina would get seven years imprisonment in each case, totaling 21 years.

The verdict was read out in absentia as former PM Hasina has not been arrested, and is believed to be outside the country. She was tried in absentia under legal provisions that allow proceeding when an accused fails to appear.

Family Members Also Sentenced

The court also convicted Hasina’s children:

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her son and former ICT adviser, received five years in prison along with a financial penalty of Tk 100,000.

Saima Wazed Putul, her daughter and a WHO regional director, was sentenced to five years in prison.

Among the 20 other accused, 19 were given varying prison terms, while one was acquitted on all charges, according to reports from The Daily Star.

ALSO READ: US Announces Indefinite Ban On Afghan Immigration After Trump Calls Shooting Suspect ‘From Hellhole Afghanistan’

Tight Security Surrounds Verdict

Severe security measures were enforced around Dhaka’s Sessions Court ahead of the Sheikh Hasina's judgment announcement. Authorities deployed additional police units, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) teams to prevent unrest.

“In addition to our regular members, two extra platoons of police and two platoons of BGB personnel are on duty,” said Miah Mohammad Ashis Bin Hasan, Deputy Commissioner of the Prosecution Division (DMP), as quoted by The Business Standard.

ALSO READ: 'Animal Will Pay Price': Trump Vows Action After 2 US Guardsmen Critical In Shooting Near White House; Suspect In Custody