Bangladesh's ousted leader Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death

 In a dramatic ruling, a Bangladeshi special court has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia, finding her guilty of crimes against humanity for ordering a brutal repression of student-led protests that ultimately forced her from power. www.ndtv.com+3The Guardian+3The Economic Times+3

The sentence came from the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka, which convicted Hasina on three counts: incitement to violence, ordering lethal force, and failing to prevent mass atrocities. mint+2www.ndtv.com+2 According to the court, she authorized the use of drones, helicopters, and live weapons against protesters. Al Jazeera+2The New Indian Express+2

The conflict stemmed from a student-led uprising in mid-2024, which escalated rapidly. The protest movement, initially focused on government employment quotas, spiraled into a broader national revolt. TIME The United Nations has estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed, many by security forces. www.ndtv.com

Hasina, 78, has denied all charges. From her refuge in India, she denounced the trial as “biased and politically motivated” and called the tribunal a “rigged court.” mint+2The Economic Times+2 Her party, the Awami League, has echoed these claims, accusing the interim government of using the process to eliminate political rivals. The Economic Times+1

Under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, Hasina’s conviction marks a turning point for Bangladesh. Al Jazeera The tribunal also ordered compensation to be paid to the victims’ families. Al Jazeera

Still, the verdict raises serious concerns. Critics — including international rights groups — question whether the trial met fair-process standards, especially given that Hasina was not present to defend herself. The Guardian+1 Meanwhile, Bangladesh is on edge: security forces have been deployed throughout the capital, and the ruling could heighten political instability. The Economic Times