Bangladesh Court Issues Death Sentence to Former PM Sheikh Hasina in Historic 453-Page Ruling on Crimes Against Humanity

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a comprehensive 453-page judgment that was read aloud for over an hour on Monday.

The tribunal found Hasina guilty on three charges related to crimes against humanity, particularly for directing a violent crackdown against student protesters during the movement that eventually toppled her Awami League government last year.

Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder led the tribunal that also issued rulings against two of Hasina's key associates: former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The court determined that the three had collaborated to commit atrocities targeting protesters nationwide.

Both Hasina and Kamal were tried in absentia after being declared fugitives, while Mamun initially appeared in person before becoming an approver in the case.

Bangladesh Television provided a live broadcast of the verdict from the ICT courtroom. According to the Dhaka Tribune, the formal charge sheet extended to 8,747 pages, containing extensive documentation including references, seized evidence, and a comprehensive list of victims.

Live footage from the courtroom captured spectators cheering and applauding when the death sentence against Hasina was announced.

Prior to the verdict, Sajeeb Wazed, Sheikh Hasina's son, had told Reuters that the outcome was predetermined, stating, "They're televising it. They're going to convict her, and they'll probably sentence her to death."

Addressing concerns about his mother's safety, Wazed confirmed, "My mother is safe in India. India is giving her full security."