Politics Death penalty for Bangladesh's former head of government Hasina
Just over a year after her escape, Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.
17.11.2025, 10:39
17.11.2025, 14:13
SDA
This was decided by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of the South Asian country at the end of a trial lasting around four months. The three judges found Hasina and two of her former aides guilty of being responsible for deaths during the bloody unrest in the summer of last year. Hundreds of people lost their lives back then.
From her exile in India, 78-year-old Hasina accused the court in an initial reaction that it had made a "biased and politically motivated" decision. The verdict had already been decided beforehand, she said in an interview with the news channel India Today TV. She rejects all accusations. The reading of the verdict had previously been broadcast on Bangladeshi television.
Death sentence also for ex-home minister
The court in the capital Dhaka also handed down a death sentence to Bangladesh's former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who also lives in India and was accused of his role during the unrest. Former police chief Abdullah Al-Mamu received a five-year prison sentence. He had testified in the trial as a key witness against Hasina and Khan.
According to the prosecution, Hasina gave direct orders to shoot at demonstrators, among other things. She was also held responsible for the use of torture by the authorities. According to a UN report, up to 1,400 people, including children, were killed at the time.
Escape to India
The increasingly authoritarian Hasina resigned on August 5, 2024 following mass protests against her government and clashes between demonstrators and security forces. She was taken by military helicopter to India, which had previously provided her with protection. From India, she repeatedly criticized the government in Dhaka, which in turn demanded Hasina's extradition.
The protests, which were mainly led by students, were initially directed against the planned reintroduction of a controversial quota system in the civil service. Later, the demonstrators demanded Hasina's resignation. After they fled, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was installed with the backing of the military. Among other things, this government had asked the UN to investigate the incidents at the time.
Strict security measures
Before the verdict was announced, the authorities stepped up security measures throughout the country. There had been a wave of violence in Bangladesh in recent days. The capital and surrounding areas were particularly affected. The banned Hasina party Awami League had called for the country to be paralyzed in protest against the impending verdict. Local media reported on burning vehicles and exploding explosive devices.
