Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on Monday. The Dhaka International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) awarded her the death penalty for inciting murder and ordering killings. In the remaining cases, she was given life imprisonment. The ICT had charged her in five cases.
Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death
The tribunal described Sheikh Hasina as the mastermind behind the killings that took place during the student protests in July 2024. The second accused, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, was also found guilty of the murders and sentenced to death. As soon as the verdict was announced, people present in the courtroom applauded.
The third accused, former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, was sentenced to five years in prison. Mamun is in custody and has become a state witness. The court has ordered the confiscation of the properties of Hasina and Asaduzzaman Kamal. After the verdict, Bangladesh’s situation…
Hasina fled to India after the coup
On August 5, 2024, following a coup, Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman left the country. Both leaders have been living in India for the past 15 months.
The Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh issued a statement saying that under the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, it is India’s responsibility to hand over the former Bangladeshi Prime Minister to Bangladesh.
The same court she established has now sentenced her
The International Crimes Tribunal that sentenced Hasina to death was founded by her. It was created in 2010. The court was established to investigate and try cases related to war crimes and genocide during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Although the law to create this tribunal was passed in 1973, the process remained stalled for decades. Then in 2010, Hasina established it so action could be taken against the accused.
Why was Sheikh Hasina removed from Bangladesh?
Despite the initial student protests in 2018, which saw the quota system being outlawed, the Hasina administration was accused of interfering with the country’s judiciary to bring the controversial quota system back.
Former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina Awarded Death Penalty
Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to death by the Dhaka International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on charges of inciting murders and ordering killings. The tribunal delivered the verdict on Monday.
In the remaining cases filed against her, the court awarded life imprisonment.
The ICT had charged Hasina in five different cases, all connected to the violent student uprising that took place in July 2024.
Court Declares Hasina Mastermind of Student Killings
The tribunal described Sheikh Hasina as the mastermind behind the killings during the 2024 student protests.
The second accused, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, was also found guilty and given the death penalty.
As soon as the verdict was announced, people present inside the courtroom reportedly applauded.
Third Accused Gets 5-Year Jail Term
The third accused, former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun, received five years of imprisonment.
Mamun is currently in custody and became a state witness, cooperating with the court.
The court also ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan.
Hasina and Former Home Minister Fled to India After Coup
On August 5, 2024, following a military coup in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan fled the country.
Both leaders have been reportedly living in India for the past 15 months.
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Bangladesh’s Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement demanding Hasina’s extradition:
According to the extradition treaty between India and Bangladesh, it is India’s responsibility to hand over the former Prime Minister.
The Tribunal That Sentenced Her Was Established by Hasina Herself
A significant irony in this case is that the International Crimes Tribunal that sentenced Hasina was established by her own government in 2010.
The tribunal was originally set up to investigate and prosecute:
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War crimes
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Genocide
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Atrocities committed during the 1971 Liberation War
Although the law for this tribunal was passed in 1973, it remained inactive for decades.
In 2010, Hasina revived and operationalised the tribunal to bring war criminals to justice.
Also Read: Sheikh Hasina Death Sentence: Bangladesh Court Convicts Ex-PM for Uprising Killings
