Bangladesh’s Ousted Leader Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death for Role in Student Uprising Crackdown

Summary:

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and her erstwhile Home Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, have been sentenced to death by an International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka. The verdict, delivered on Monday, November 17, 2025, found them responsible for the deadly crackdown on a student uprising that occurred last year, leading to hundreds of fatalities and the eventual overthrow of Hasina’s 15-year government.

Both Hasina and Khan were sentenced in absentia, having fled to India, which has so far declined to extradite them. Hasina faced conviction on five charges of crimes against humanity, also receiving a sentence of imprisonment until natural death for inflammatory remarks and allegedly ordering the use of lethal force, including helicopters, drones, and weapons, against student protesters. A former police chief involved in the incident received a five-year prison sentence after becoming a state witness.

The student-led uprising in July and August 2024 resulted in a significant loss of life, with Bangladesh’s interim government’s health adviser reporting over 800 deaths and 14,000 injuries. A United Nations report, however, suggested the death toll could be as high as 1,400.

In response to the verdict, Hasina released a statement calling the charges unjustified and the verdict “biased and politically motivated.” She argued that she and Khan acted in good faith to minimize casualties, stating they “lost control of the situation” and denying any premeditated assault on citizens. Her Awami League party has called for a national shutdown to protest the ruling.

Hasina, 78, is unable to appeal the verdict unless she surrenders or is arrested within 30 days. Bangladesh continues to navigate political instability following her ouster on August 5, 2024. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus now heads the interim government, which has banned the Awami League’s activities ahead of upcoming February elections and vowed to hold Hasina accountable. Both Yunus and Hasina’s political rival, Khaleda Zia, have welcomed the verdict. The Bangladeshi Ministry of Home Affairs and Foreign Ministry have urged India to extradite Hasina and Khan, citing existing extradition treaties, though India’s foreign ministry has acknowledged the verdict without committing to extradition.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-hasina-verdict-yunus-security-c1eec828e68460bae66824601a94eaca