Leader Sentenced

Bangladesh's ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, was sentenced to death for her role in a deadly crackdown on protesters last year.

Context

Hasina governed Bangladesh for 15 years before being forced from office in August 2024 and fleeing to India. During her time in power, she oversaw economic growth but increasingly used authoritarian tactics to silence opposition. The protests began as demonstrations against a government job quota system but grew into a broader movement demanding an end to her rule. Young protesters were frustrated by high inflation and persisting unemployment.

Hasina Convicted

On Monday, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh convicted Hasina of three charges related to the killing of student protesters, including inciting violence, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. The 78-year-old Hasina, still in India, was tried in absentia.

A UN report estimated that up to 1,400 people died during the protests between July and August 2024, with most killed by gunfire from security forces. The violence marked the worst political unrest in Bangladesh since its 1971 War of Independence.

People in the courtroom cheered and clapped when the sentence was announced, and some outside the courthouse knelt in prayer.

Hasina’s Response

After the verdict, Hasina released a statement from India calling the tribunal "rigged" and the charges "biased and politically motivated." She denied any wrongdoing and said the death penalty revealed "the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government to remove Bangladesh's last elected prime minister."

Bangladesh's interim government requested that India extradite Hasina, but India has not formally responded. A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on Monday, writing, “As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country.”

Planned Elections

The verdict arrived as Bangladesh prepares for elections in February 2026. Hasina's Awami League party was banned from political activity in May, which observers said will undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming vote. Last month, Hasina's son warned that if the ban remained in place, the party's supporters would attempt to block the election and that protests could turn violent.  

In the days before the verdict, at least 30 crude bomb explosions and 26 vehicle burnings occurred across the country. Though no casualties were reported, authorities have detained dozens of Awami League activists over allegations of involvement in the violence.