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Sheikh Hasina Verdict: Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh (ICT-B), convicting the former premier of "crimes against humanity" for ordering a deadly crackdown on protesters during last year's student-led uprising in the country, which toppled her Awami League government.

The ICT, Bangladesh's domestic war crimes court, pronounced the verdict today and said that the prosecution had proved "beyond a reasonable doubt that Hasina was behind the deadly crackdown on student-led protests between July 15 and August 15 last year."

The court found that Hasina orchestrated a systematic campaign of murder, torture and violent repression to crush unprecedented nationwide protests challenging her government. Sheikh Hasina's aide and former Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has also been sentenced to death by the ICT on similar charges.

Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted on August 5, 2024, was tried in absentia along with Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The former police chief, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, appeared in court as the lone accused in custody and turned approver, providing critical testimony that prosecutors said connected the chain of command directly to the former prime minister. He was sentenced to five years in prison for the same case.

Court Cites 'Pattern of Lethal Intent'

Reading from the 453-page judgment, the tribunal said evidence from 54 witnesses, digital records, intercepted calls, field videos and official documents established "sufficient grounds" to hold Hasina responsible on all five charges of crimes against humanity.

Judges observed that state agencies, including police, ruling party cadres, paramilitary units and administrative machinery, were deployed with "lethal intent" against unarmed student demonstrators.

One of the tribunal judges said the findings showed a "systematic pattern of killings," adding that police and other forces operated under direct instructions from the highest levels of government.

Five Charges That Led To Sheikh Hasina's Conviction:

The tribunal upheld five major charges against Hasina:

1. Incitement and enabling murder, attempted murder, and torture through law enforcement and party cadres.

2. Ordering the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons to suppress protesters, leading to mass casualties.

3. Direct involvement in the killing of student activist Abu Sayed, whose death on July 16, 2024, became the rallying point of the movement.

4. Responsibility for the shooting of six unarmed protesters in Dhaka's Chankharpul.

5. Ordering the killing and burning of six students in Ashulia, including one allegedly set on fire alive.

Phone calls, Directives, Altered Autopsy

A crucial element cited in the verdict was a phone conversation in which Hasina allegedly told a university vice-president to "hang" protestors. The court said this conversation "reinforced the climate for unlawful violence." Judges also noted repeated alterations to the autopsy report of Abu Sayed, allegedly under threats issued by senior officials.

The tribunal cited investigative reports stating that around 1,400 people were killed and 24,000 injured during the protests. It said helicopters were used both to intimidate and fire upon demonstrators, while many injured students were denied medical care by security forces and ruling party workers stationed at hospitals.

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As the verdict was announced, thousands gathered outside the tribunal and across Dhaka University, where the sentencing was broadcast live. Security has been placed on high alert, with Dhaka Metropolitan Police issuing a shoot at sight order against arson and violent attacks following sporadic unrest and cocktail explosions reported in parts of the capital.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh On Edge As ICT Pronounces Verdict Against Sheikh Hasina: Inside Five-Count Charge Sheet

The verdict marks one of the most consequential political rulings in Bangladesh's recent history, potentially reshaping the nation's already volatile political landscape as it awaits the sentencing phase in the coming hours


(With Agencies Inputs)

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