Dhaka, Bangladesh
In a dramatic and historic ruling, a special tribunal in Dhaka, Bangladesh sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina death penalty Dhaka for crimes against humanity.
The tribunal found her guilty of her role in suppressing the violent student-led uprising in July- August 2024,
during which nearly 1,400 people reportedly died.
A prosecutor told the court that Hasina orchestrated a brutal crackdown, ordering the use of helicopters, drones
and lethal weapons to target protesters.
The tribunal judge described her as the “mastermind of killings.” alongside her former home Minister Assaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
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The prosecution built its case on five counts of crimes against humanity, including incitement, direct orders to kill,
and failure to prevent violence during the protests.
Evidence presented in court included phone recordings and orders that allegedly linked Hasina directly to violent decisions.
Sheikh Haseena did not appear in court for the trial; She remains in exile in India and her legal team claimed that the tribunal lacked legitimacy.
Her political party, The Awami league denounced the process as a “kangaroo court” and called for national protests in Bangladesh.
The verdict sparked immediate tension in Dhaka and other regions.
Authorities deployed additional troops around the tribunal and public buildings to prevent unrest.
Hasina responded defiantly, rejecting the court’s ruling as “biased” and urging her supporters to remain calm.
Analysts expect this verdict to reshape Bangladesh’s political dynamic dramatically.
Some say the ruling will deepen polarisation and could even destabilize the country further.
Others believe it marks a moment of accountability for the bloodiest period in the nation’s recent history.
The tribunal decision comes amid whispered controversy. Critics question the impartiality of the court,
while families of the victims welcome what they call a long overdue measure of Justice.
As Sheikh Haseena faces the most serious judgement of her political career, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads.
The world now watches closely, Will this rolling unify the nation or deepen the divisions that brought it here?
