The Crossbill News Desk
A landmark judgement delivered in Dhaka on Sunday (November 16) has resulted in former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being sentenced to death by the country’s three-member special crimes tribunal, which found her guilty of “crimes against humanity” linked to the July 2024 uprising that toppled her Awami League government.
The 78-year-old leader, currently residing in India after fleeing Bangladesh last August, was convicted on multiple charges.
“For all these three counts we have decided to inflict upon her only one sentence: the sentence of death,” the judge declared, prompting loud applause inside the packed courtroom.
The verdict marks the first decision issued by the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal-1, a domestic Bangladeshi court despite its title, since it shifted its focus from 1971 war-related cases to alleged abuses committed during Hasina’s 15-year rule, particularly the violence surrounding the July 2024 unrest.
The bench, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, read selected portions of its 453-page judgement in open court, with the proceedings broadcast live on state television. Alongside the death sentence, the tribunal ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to the two main accused.
The tribunal had originally been established in 2009 by Hasina to prosecute crimes from the Liberation War, issuing verdicts in 55 cases over more than a decade.
Following her ouster on August 5 last year, the acting government led by Mohammad Yunus reconstituted the tribunal, which began hearing cases tied to the deadly crackdown on student-led protests.
Dhaka authorities deployed a sweeping security operation ahead of Sunday’s verdict, setting up a four-layer security cordon involving the army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, police and the Armed Police Battalion. Vehicular movement was heavily restricted around the court complex, and security checks were tightened at major intersections and highways.
Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex–inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were tried on five counts ranging from murder and attempted murder to torture and other inhumane acts. Prosecutors alleged that the trio either issued or facilitated orders to use lethal force, including firearms, drones and helicopters, to disperse protesters.
The indictment detailed the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed, the shooting of six unarmed demonstrators in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area, and the burning deaths of five others in Ashulia. Prosecutors claimed that police units and armed groups linked to the Awami League acted under the leadership’s instructions.
Hasina and Asaduzzaman, both living in India since last year, were tried in absentia despite being ordered to return and face the tribunal. Mamun, however, is in custody and pleaded guilty, appearing as a state witness. He told the court that Hasina had “directly ordered” the use of lethal force during the uprising. Investigators have estimated that at least 1,500 civilians and students were killed and 30,000 injured in the July–August violence.
Prosecutors demanded maximum sentences and the seizure of assets to compensate victims’ families, but court-appointed defence lawyers argued that the charges lacked evidence and sought acquittal.
The case progressed rapidly after the tribunal was reconstituted, with the first complaint filed on October 17 last year. Charges were formally submitted by June 1, framed on July 10, and trial hearings commenced on August 4. Over the course of the trial, 54 witnesses testified, including Mamun and the investigation officer. Closing arguments concluded on October 23, and the tribunal fixed November 17 for the judgement.
Under the law governing the tribunal, convicted individuals must surrender before filing an appeal within 30 days. Prosecutors have maintained that those evading arrest cannot access appellate remedies until they present themselves voluntarily or are detained. Earlier, Bangladesh Police’s National Central Bureau had requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice for Hasina, though progress on such requests has been limited.
Reports suggest that several applications for Red Notices related to the 2024 crackdown remain stalled due to Interpol’s internal political and human rights reviews. Prosecutors said they will seek a “conviction warrant” to support renewed efforts for a notice if the conviction stands.
This case is one of four currently pending against Hasina before the tribunal. She also faces two cases involving enforced disappearances during her years in power and another concerning the killing and torture of Hefazat-e-Islam activists during the 2013 Shapla Chattar operation. Hearings in the disappearance cases are scheduled for November 23, while investigators have until January 12 to submit their report in the Shapla Chattar matter. Earlier this year, in July, the tribunal also sentenced Hasina to six months’ simple imprisonment for contempt of court over remarks prosecutors argued interfered with judicial proceedings.
The 78-year-old leader, currently residing in India after fleeing Bangladesh last August, was convicted on multiple charges.
“For all these three counts we have decided to inflict upon her only one sentence: the sentence of death,” the judge declared, prompting loud applause inside the packed courtroom.
The verdict marks the first decision issued by the reconstituted International Crimes Tribunal-1, a domestic Bangladeshi court despite its title, since it shifted its focus from 1971 war-related cases to alleged abuses committed during Hasina’s 15-year rule, particularly the violence surrounding the July 2024 unrest.
The bench, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, read selected portions of its 453-page judgement in open court, with the proceedings broadcast live on state television. Alongside the death sentence, the tribunal ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to the two main accused.
The tribunal had originally been established in 2009 by Hasina to prosecute crimes from the Liberation War, issuing verdicts in 55 cases over more than a decade.
Following her ouster on August 5 last year, the acting government led by Mohammad Yunus reconstituted the tribunal, which began hearing cases tied to the deadly crackdown on student-led protests.
Dhaka authorities deployed a sweeping security operation ahead of Sunday’s verdict, setting up a four-layer security cordon involving the army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, police and the Armed Police Battalion. Vehicular movement was heavily restricted around the court complex, and security checks were tightened at major intersections and highways.
Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex–inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were tried on five counts ranging from murder and attempted murder to torture and other inhumane acts. Prosecutors alleged that the trio either issued or facilitated orders to use lethal force, including firearms, drones and helicopters, to disperse protesters.
The indictment detailed the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed, the shooting of six unarmed demonstrators in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area, and the burning deaths of five others in Ashulia. Prosecutors claimed that police units and armed groups linked to the Awami League acted under the leadership’s instructions.
Hasina and Asaduzzaman, both living in India since last year, were tried in absentia despite being ordered to return and face the tribunal. Mamun, however, is in custody and pleaded guilty, appearing as a state witness. He told the court that Hasina had “directly ordered” the use of lethal force during the uprising. Investigators have estimated that at least 1,500 civilians and students were killed and 30,000 injured in the July–August violence.
Prosecutors demanded maximum sentences and the seizure of assets to compensate victims’ families, but court-appointed defence lawyers argued that the charges lacked evidence and sought acquittal.
The case progressed rapidly after the tribunal was reconstituted, with the first complaint filed on October 17 last year. Charges were formally submitted by June 1, framed on July 10, and trial hearings commenced on August 4. Over the course of the trial, 54 witnesses testified, including Mamun and the investigation officer. Closing arguments concluded on October 23, and the tribunal fixed November 17 for the judgement.
Under the law governing the tribunal, convicted individuals must surrender before filing an appeal within 30 days. Prosecutors have maintained that those evading arrest cannot access appellate remedies until they present themselves voluntarily or are detained. Earlier, Bangladesh Police’s National Central Bureau had requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice for Hasina, though progress on such requests has been limited.
Reports suggest that several applications for Red Notices related to the 2024 crackdown remain stalled due to Interpol’s internal political and human rights reviews. Prosecutors said they will seek a “conviction warrant” to support renewed efforts for a notice if the conviction stands.
This case is one of four currently pending against Hasina before the tribunal. She also faces two cases involving enforced disappearances during her years in power and another concerning the killing and torture of Hefazat-e-Islam activists during the 2013 Shapla Chattar operation. Hearings in the disappearance cases are scheduled for November 23, while investigators have until January 12 to submit their report in the Shapla Chattar matter. Earlier this year, in July, the tribunal also sentenced Hasina to six months’ simple imprisonment for contempt of court over remarks prosecutors argued interfered with judicial proceedings.
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