Key events in Bangladesh leading to court's verdict

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death on Nov 17, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising in 2024. The Muslim-majority South Asian country of 170 million people has grappled with instability since Hasina fled to India in August 2024 at the height of the uprising. Here are the key events:

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Protesters led by the “Students Against Discrimination” group initially wanted quotas for public-sector jobs, but the movement escalated in July 2024 as they demanded Hasina’s resignation and clashed with security forces and supporters of her Awami League party.

Protesters blamed the government for a crackdown that killed hundreds of people and injured thousands. The unrest peaked on Aug 5 when Hasina was forced to flee to neighbouring India just before crowds stormed her official residence. She has since remained in the Indian capital New Delhi.

YUNUS TAKES CHARGE

An interim government was formed and tasked with restoring stability and preparing for parliamentary elections.

Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, 85, is in charge as de facto prime minister. Elections will be held in early February, he has said.

The interim government promised sweeping institutional reforms but progress has been slow and fragmented, despite broad consensus on key reforms such as restoring a nonpartisan caretaker government to oversee elections, depoliticising state institutions and overhauling the Election Commission.