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A special tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death on charges of crimes against humanity. The charges are related to a massive uprising last year, which ultimately ended Hasina's 15-year rule. The verdict was delivered on Monday in Dhaka, the capital, and was broadcast live to the nation. Ahead of the announcement, the interim government heavily increased security around the city and other regions by deploying soldiers, paramilitary border guards, and police forces to maintain order.
Hasina’s political party, the Awami League, quickly responded by calling for a nationwide shutdown to protest the tribunal’s decision. Hasina herself, currently in exile in India, was tried in absentia and has denounced the tribunal as a "kangaroo court." She also criticized the state-appointed lawyer assigned to defend her, rejecting the legitimacy of the trial. Alongside Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who is also believed to be in India, faced similar charges. However, a third suspect, a former police chief who turned state witness, pleaded guilty, so no penalty was recommended for him. The tribunal's verdicts for all three were announced on the same day.
The charges stem from widespread violence during a student-led uprising in the summer of 2024, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths. Reports from the United Nations and health officials estimate that between 800 and 1,400 people may have lost their lives, with thousands more injured. The unrest severely disrupted daily life, including education and transportation, as bombings and arson attacks became common across the nation. In response to the escalating violence, Dhaka’s police chief issued a strict "shoot-on-sight" order against those involved in torching vehicles or throwing crude bombs.
The political climate in Bangladesh remains highly unstable following Hasina's ousting on August 5, 2024. Following her departure, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead an interim government. Yunus promised to bring justice and banned the Awami League's activities. He also announced that new elections would be held in February, but Hasina’s party would not be allowed to participate. Despite these measures, violence continues, with multiple explosions and arson attacks reported in recent weeks, resulting in casualties and widespread fear.
The special tribunal’s decision has deepened divisions within the country. Hasina has survived numerous assassination attempts over her political career, and her supporters remain defiant. The authorities are bracing for further unrest, as protests and shutdowns called by the Awami League continue to disrupt normal life. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalation or possible political reconciliation hinging on how the government and opposition respond in the coming weeks.
