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A three-member International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka has handed Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh, a death sentence on two counts of crimes against humanity linked to protests during last year’s July uprising.
The tribunal also sentenced Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, the former home minister, to death. Another defendant, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, a former inspector general of police who became a state witness, was given a five-year prison term after admitting guilt.
According to the judgment, Hasina was found guilty of ordering the use of lethal force, including helicopters, drones, and firearms, against student protesters. On one occasion in Dhaka’s Chankharpul, six unarmed demonstrators were shot dead. On another day in Ashulia, six students were shot; five of them were later burned after their deaths, while the sixth was allegedly set on fire while still alive.
In addition to the death sentences, the court ordered that the properties of Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan be seized by the state.
The prosecution had brought five charges against the defendants, including murder, torture, use of lethal weapons, and failure to prevent mass killings, framing them as crimes against humanity. They argued that Hasina, as the country’s leader, bore “superior command responsibility” and had directly orchestrated the crackdown.
The defense, meanwhile, strongly denied the accusations. Hasina rejected the charges and characterized the tribunal as politically motivated.
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The verdict, nearly 453 pages long, was read out around midday under tight security, with the public and media allowed to watch under heavy guard. This is the first judgment by the tribunal related to the events of the 2024 uprising.
Moreover, this is not Hasina’s only case — she is facing additional trials concerning enforced disappearances and mass killings from earlier incidents.
