Bangladesh's Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed Given to Capital Punishment

Bangladesh's former prime minister has been given a death sentence for crimes against humanity over her harsh response on student-led protests which resulted in her ousting.

Sheikh Hasina was found guilty of permitting fatal actions to be used against activists, 1,400 of whom were killed during the turmoil during 2024.

The trial proceeded without her presence by the International Crimes Court in Bangladesh, since she went into exile in India since she was forced from power in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being behind hundreds of killings during the protests. Hasina has denied the entire case, labeling the proceedings as "prejudiced and driven by politics".

The decision signifies a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over long-standing suppression. Next of kin of victims and injured had requested tough penalties.

Responding to the decision in a detailed document, she expressed the death penalty was the caretaker administration's way of "eliminating her political faction" as a political force and that she was content of her administration's performance on civil liberties.

"I am not afraid to confront those accusing me in a proper tribunal where the facts can be assessed and tested fairly."

The capital, Dhaka, where the court convened, was under increased safeguards prior to the decision on Monday, with several of her detractors staging a rally and cheering as the sentence was declared.

Dhaka experienced a sudden increase in turmoil, with numerous incendiary devices set off and coaches ignited in the time before the verdict.

At least one bomb explosion was recorded in Dhaka on Monday morning, with zero injuries documented, regional security representative the police spokesperson stated to press agencies.

The protest movement led by students during 2024 commenced through demands to abolish public sector reservation policies but morphed into a more extensive dissent initiative.

International human rights monitors stated in a document in February that the approximately 1,400 deaths could constitute "violations of human dignity".

The paper detailed the shooting at point-blank range of certain demonstrators, the deliberate maiming of further participants, unjustified apprehensions and torture.

Leaked audio of one of Hasina's phone calls authenticated by external reviews during the current year suggested she had authorized the use of "fatal instruments" in July 2024. The sound file was broadcast in court during the proceedings.

Prior to the ruling, relatives of those fatally injured in the unrest stated to press outlets they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

One relative, whose sibling was killed in July 2024, said he wanted "severe penalty" for Hasina and others who have "performed revengeful deeds and abused their power".

Lucky Akther, whose spouse died near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted her penalty to be "carried out before the election".

"Only then the relatives of the deceased [in the protests] will find peace in their hearts."

Since Hasina's ousting, an caretaker administration under the guidance of economist Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A general election is planned for February 2026.

However, the her former political organization, her political faction, was prohibited by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

She alerted in the previous month that if the her faction's nominees were banned from standing in the upcoming election, numerous would avoid the vote.

The judgment creates a diplomatic challenge for India and Bangladesh. Dhaka has formally requested her extradition but until now India has shown no willingness to agree.

Hasina's state-appointed lawyer her legal counsel said he was "sad [and wishes] the decision had been otherwise".

"I cannot even contest because my clients are absent; that's why I am sad," he added.

Recently, her legal team said they had filed an urgent appeal to the UN highlighting major judicial fairness and legal procedure concerns at the ICT.

Hasina was tried alongside her ex-interior minister and police chief.

Although the punishment provides certain resolution to kin of victims in the protests, it may do little to soothe the state's ideological splits.

"The resentment towards Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League has not decreased," a human rights advocate from the capital told news organizations. "Both she and the organization has expressed regret or displayed repentance for the deaths of numerous individuals."

The activist stated "This complicates matters for the party to be accepted by a most citizens in this country."

The advocate continued that the penalty was not closure for the families of those who died and were wounded.

"We work with multiple individuals who underwent irreversible limb loss, they are amputees now, as a result of the harsh measures. They cannot pardon her."

An analyst, a commentator on the nation's politics, said the "very nature of the conviction could make it particularly hard" for the political faction to become a normal feature of the country's governance system again.

This could alter if "an expression of regret occurs and a disassociation with the former leader and the previous administration," he said.