🔗 Share this article

The country's previous leader has been handed capital punishment for atrocities due to her harsh response on protests led by students which led to her forced departure.

Hasina was declared culpable of permitting fatal actions to be used against protesters, with approximately 1,400 individuals lost their lives during the disturbances in the previous year.

The trial proceeded while she was absent by the International Crimes Court in Bangladesh, since she went into exile in India following her ouster in July 2024.

Legal authorities charged her of being the mastermind of multiple fatalities during the protests. Hasina has denied every accusation, labeling the proceedings as "biased and politically motivated".

This judgment represents a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the protests revealed fury over years of repression. Families of those killed and wounded had requested strict sentences.

Reacting to the verdict in a comprehensive declaration, the former leader stated the capital punishment was the caretaker administration's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a political force and that she was content of her administration's performance on civil liberties.

"I have no trepidation to confront those accusing me in a just legal forum where the facts can be assessed and tested fairly."

The capital, Dhaka, where the court convened, was under tightened security before the decision on Monday, with several of her detractors organizing a demonstration and applauding as the judgment was announced.

The capital witnessed a sudden increase in disturbances, with multiple explosives detonated and public transport vehicles burned in the days leading up to the verdict.

One explosive incident was noted in Dhaka on Monday morning, with zero injuries documented, regional security representative the authorities' representative informed press agencies.

The protest movement led by students in the previous year commenced through demands to abolish state employment quotas but transformed into a broader opposition campaign.

International human rights monitors declared in an analysis in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could constitute "crimes against humanity".

The report documented the gunfire from minimal distance of some protesters, the purposeful disabling of others, unwarranted detentions and abuse.

Leaked audio of one of Hasina's phone calls confirmed by investigative sources in previous months suggested she had sanctioned the use of "fatal instruments" in July 2024. The sound file was broadcast in court during the legal process.

Before the decision, relatives of those fatally injured in the unrest told media representatives they wanted Hasina to be punished severely.

Ramjan Ali, whose family member was fatally wounded in July 2024, said he wanted "severe penalty" for her and co-accused who have "performed revengeful deeds and abused their power".

Another relative, whose spouse died near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted Hasina's sentence to be "implemented before the election".

"Only then the families of those killed [in the protests] will obtain solace in their minds."

After her departure, an caretaker administration headed by economic expert Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A general election is set for February 2026.

However, the Awami League, her political faction, was banned by Bangladesh's caretaker administration in May.

The former leader cautioned during the past month that if the her faction's nominees were banned from standing in the upcoming election, millions would boycott the ballot.

The verdict now poses a foreign relations issue for India and Bangladesh. Dhaka has formally requested her return but until now India has demonstrated no inclination to acquiesce.

The legal representative assigned to her Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "unhappy and desiring the outcome had varied".

"I even cannot appeal because my defendants are not present; that's why I am disheartened," he continued.

Recently, the defense attorneys said they had lodged a prompt application to the UN raising major judicial fairness and due process issues at the ICT.

The former leader faced trial alongside her previous domestic affairs official and police chief.

Even though the verdict provides certain resolution to families of killed in the protests, it may do little to soothe the nation's partisan rifts.

"The resentment towards Hasina and the Awami League has not decreased," a human rights advocate from the capital stated to news organizations. "Neither she nor the party has said sorry or shown any remorse for the deaths of numerous individuals."

The activist stated "This creates challenges for the party to be accepted by a most citizens in this nation."

The activist added that the penalty was not finality for the kin of those fatally and non-fatally harmed.

"We support several people who lost their limbs forever, they are currently without limbs, as a result of the harsh measures. They cannot pardon her."

A journalist, an observer of Bangladeshi affairs, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it particularly hard" for the political faction to become a regular participant of Bangladeshi politics again.

This may change if "there is some kind of apology and a separation from Sheikh Hasina and the old leadership," he expressed.