Ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Gets Death Sentence For 'Crimes Against Humanity'

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, finding her guilty of multiple counts of crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July-August student uprising.

The three-member Tribunal, headed by Justice Mohd Golam Mortuza Majumder, also pronounced judgment against her two aides, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Kamal was handed a death sentence, Al-Mamun was sent to five years in prison for their roles in the brutal crackdown.

The judgment, described by the Tribunal as one of the gravest in the nation’s history, concluded that Hasina, Kamal and Mamun “orchestrated and enabled atrocities across the country”, resulting in 1,400 deaths and widespread torture and killings across 50 districts.

‘It Saddened The Heart Of Bangladesh & The World’

In its findings, the Tribunal observed, “Several violations were committed against protesters… 1,400 people were killed, the highest such casualty figure ever recorded under a UN-standard investigation… The events saddened the heart of Bangladesh and the world… Hasina stands accused, and now convicted, of crimes against humanity.”

The Tribunal ruled that the atrocities were widespread, systematic and coordinated, targeting unarmed student protesters across the nation.

Hasina Guilty On Three Grounds

The Tribunal delivered a scathing breakdown of Hasina’s actions:

1. Incitement: “Accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by her incitement order and failure to take preventive and punitive measures under Charge 1.”
2. Order to Kill: Hasina ordered the use of drones, helicopters and lethal weapons on students. “Accused Sheikh Hasina committed one count of crimes against humanity by ordering the use of drones, helicopters and lethal weapons under Charge 2.”
3. Failure to Prevent Atrocities: She failed to prevent or punish those committing atrocities, despite full command responsibility.

The Tribunal declared, “In view of this havoc, Sheikh Hasina is found guilty on all three grounds.”

The Tribunal added that Sheikh Hasina had been convicted for using drones for crimes, directing operations that killed people, incitement, abetment, conspiracy and failure to prevent atrocities.

The Tribunal ruled Hasina’s conversation with a Vice-Principal, central to establishing her direct orders, as genuine, not AI-generated.

Sentencing former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death, the Tribunal said Kamal had jointly planned and executed shootings, drone operations and coordinated attacks.

Sentencing former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to five years in prison, the court cited his “six days of movement” and direct operational involvement.

Countrywide Atrocities Established

The Tribunal confirmed atrocities occurred across 50 districts, “almost the entire country”. “Police shot students at close range, protesters were hunted using drones, witnesses from every part of the country testified, and victims and their families served as eyewitnesses,” the Tribunal noted.

“An additional DIG directly ordered the use of lethal weapons… Hasina and the accused absconded, ignoring court summons… this proves their guilt,” the court said.

The Charges

COUNT 1: Murder, attempted murder, torture, inhumane acts; abetment, conspiracy, complicity; failure to prevent Awami League cadres and law enforcement from attacking civilians.

COUNT 2: Ordering use of lethal weapons, drones and helicopters; superior command responsibility; conspiracy and facilitation.

COUNT 3: Murder of Abu Sayed, a Begum Rokeya University student, on July 16 — direct orders, abetment, conspiracy.

COUNT 4: Murder of six unarmed protesters in Chankharpul on August 5.

COUNT 5: Execution-style killing of five protesters, burning of bodies and attempted burning of a survivor.

The Tribunal ended its verdict, saying, “Sheikh Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun orchestrated and enabled atrocities during the 2024 movement. They are guilty of crimes against humanity for their incitement, their orders to kill and their failure to prevent the atrocities.”