Dhaka, November 17: The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh handed down a death sentence to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
The court said that she was responsible for “crimes against humanity” linked to the 2024 protest crackdown. It also said that Hasina had approved the use of drones, helicopters and other lethal force against crowds of demonstrators.
The judges concluded that Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun acted together while carrying out violent actions against protesters during the 2024 nationwide movement that eventually pushed Hasina from power.
“Accused prime minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by her incitement order and also failure to take preventive and punitive measures under charge 1,” the court said.
“Accused Sheikh Hasina committed one count of crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons under charge number 2,” the court added.
As per the verdict, all legal requirements for crimes against humanity were met. The tribunal noted that a core committee led by Hasina had passed a resolution allowing the use of deadly weapons.
Meanwhile, Kamal was also sentenced to death in the same case.
Hasina did not appear in court as she has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh after her government fell in 2024. Kamal is also abroad, though his location remains unknown.
Among the three, only Al-Mamun, the former IGP, was present at the court during Monday’s proceedings. He had admitted his role in the events of 2024 earlier in July. The tribunal said he will receive a “lenient sentence,” to be announced later, depending on the seriousness of his crimes.
The three were charged with five offences, including murder, attempted murder, torture and other inhumane acts.
One of the main accusations claimed that Hasina ordered the “extermination” of protesters. She was also accused of using inflammatory language and directing security forces to fire on student-led demonstrations that culminated in her resignation in August 2024.
