Ousted Bangladesh PM sentenced to death for crimes against humanity

Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina was yesterday sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Dhaka for crimes against humanity over a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

- Hannah Ellis-Petersen Delhi Redwan Ahmed Dhaka

A three-judge bench of the country’s international crimes tribunal convicted Hasina of crimes including incitement, orders to kill and inaction to prevent atrocities as she oversaw a crackdown on anti-government protesters in 2024.

Reading the verdict to the court, Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder said the “accused prime minister committed crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons” against civilians. Hasina had pleaded not guilty to the charges and alleged the tribunal was a “politically motivated charade”.

The UN human rights office described the sentencing as “an important moment for victims” but said Hasina should not have been sentenced to death.

The months-long tribunal tried and sentenced Hasina in absentia. Since she fled the country in August last year, Hasina has been living in exile - and under protection - in neighbouring India, and the Indian government has ignored requests for her extradition to face trial.

Family members of killed protesters broke down in tears in the courtroom as judges handed death sentences to Hasina and the former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, her co-accused in the trial.