Sheikh Hasina's Death Sentence: Former Bangladesh PM Aide Claims "Staged Drama" in Muhammad Yunus-Led Government Tribunal

Sheikh Hasina has maintained that the charges against her are unjustified.

The Awami League has strongly criticized the Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh, describing recent legal proceedings as a "staged drama" in what they termed a "kangaroo court." This follows the death sentence handed to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and one of her close associates by a Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal regarding her response to student protests last year that reportedly resulted in hundreds of casualties and ultimately ended her 15-year leadership.

Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, an Awami League leader who served as a minister in Hasina's government, alleged that the verdict against the former leader was "pre-written" and that she was denied proper defense opportunities. He further claimed that both Hasina and the Awami League still enjoy widespread public support in Bangladesh, warning that the Yunus administration is pushing the nation toward civil conflict.

"This was entirely a staged drama. They understand this verdict cannot be implemented, yet they needed to deliver something. The judgment was pre-written. The tribunal chairman wasn't even present in court for the past month. The court's very constitution is illegal because the interim regime lacks legal authority to modify the tribunal's laws, which they did to put us on trial in this kangaroo court," Chowdhury stated during his NDTV interview.

He alleged that the Yunus government disregarded standard legal procedures throughout Hasina's trial, even denying her the right to select her own legal representation.

"We weren't allowed to appoint our chosen lawyers. They classified us as fugitives. Several senior Dhaka attorneys wanted to represent our leader Sheikh Hasina, but were all denied and prevented from court attendance. So a trial proceeded without any representation on our behalf," Chowdhury explained.

When questioned about the future of the Awami League, now banned by the Yunus government from electoral participation in Bangladesh, the former minister asserted that his party "still commands the support of the majority of the people."

"The Awami League has faced similar challenges since 1975. We were banned previously and rose from the ashes. We will do the same this time," he stated, challenging the Yunus administration to allow his party to participate in the upcoming February elections.

"If they're so confident in their public support, why not permit us to participate in the election? Let citizens decide who should face trial and who should represent them. These laws should be ratified in a properly elected parliament before trials take place," he argued.

According to Chowdhury, the Awami League will now focus on persuading people to boycott what they consider a "sham electoral" process announced by the Yunus government.

"The people aren't supporting them. We'll continue our protest. Our Prime Minister's son, Shajib Wajid, has already stated that they're pushing the country toward civil war. If that's their intention, then we'll confront it," he declared.

The Awami League leader also accused the interim government of having connections with Pakistan-based terrorist organizations including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. He questioned Yunus's apparent closeness with Pakistan and accused the interim leader of supporting regional instability in South Asia.

"Why this alignment with Pakistan? Why invite Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad leaders into Bangladesh? Why bring Maulana Fazlur Rahman to Bangladesh? Why bring ISI officials into Bangladesh? Why invite Pakistani military officials? Bangladesh and Pakistan don't maintain significant relations," he questioned.

"They desire regional instability, knowing they lack majority support. They anticipate chaos and violence, which serves their purposes. To maintain legitimacy and power, they want the country to remain unstable. But we won't allow that. Similar attempts have failed previously, and they'll fail again," Chowdhury added.

The International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death for their alleged roles in using deadly force against protesters.

Hasina and Khan, who escaped to India last year, were sentenced in absentia. India has thus far refused extradition requests, making their execution or imprisonment highly unlikely.

Hasina has maintained the charges are unjustified, stating that she and Khan "acted in good faith and were trying to minimize the loss of life."

"We lost control of the situation, but characterizing what happened as a premeditated assault on citizens simply misreads the facts," she said Monday in a statement denouncing what she called a "biased and politically motivated" verdict.

Her Awami League party called for a national shutdown on Tuesday to protest the verdict.

Hasina, 78, cannot appeal the verdict unless she surrenders or is arrested within 30 days of the judgment.