Dhaka, Bangladesh - In a landmark verdict with potentially far-reaching consequences, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) today, November 17, 2025, convicted ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity. The three-member tribunal delivered the verdict in absentia, as Hasina has been residing in exile in New Delhi, India, since being deposed in August 2024. The charges stem from a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year that led to the fall of her Awami League government.
The tribunal also announced verdicts for Hasina's two aides, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Kamal, like Hasina, was tried in absentia, Al-Mamun was present before the tribunal. He had previously pleaded guilty in July and became a state witness. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for all three.
The charges against the 78-year-old Hasina relate to the "July Uprising," a period of intense protests between July 15 and August 15 of last year. A UN rights office report estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during this time as Hasina's government allegedly ordered a sweeping security crackdown. The prosecution argued that Hasina was the "mastermind and principal architect" of the atrocities. Key charges include ordering the use of helicopters and drones against civilian protestors.
Hasina has vehemently denied the charges, dismissing the tribunal as a "kangaroo court" and claiming the accusations are politically motivated. In a message released prior to the verdict, she urged her supporters to remain calm. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, has warned of potential unrest if the ban on the Awami League is not lifted and has suggested that the party's supporters might block the upcoming February elections.
The verdict has ignited tensions across Bangladesh. Security has been heightened nationwide, with increased patrols and deployment of additional forces, including the Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, and the army, particularly around the tribunal premises. Dhaka Metropolitan Police had issued shoot-at-sight orders against anyone involved in arson or violence. Sporadic incidents of violence, including crude bomb blasts and road blockades, were reported in Dhaka ahead of the verdict.
The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has sought Hasina's extradition from India, but there has been no response from India as of yet. The trial concluded on October 23 after 28 working days, during which 54 witnesses testified.
Reactions to the verdict have been divided. Supporters of Hasina maintain her innocence and decry the trial as a political witch hunt. Others, like Jasim Khan, a student leader who lost an eye during last year's protests, have called for the maximum punishment for Hasina. Mohammad Abu Bakar Shikder, whose son was killed in the uprising, demanded that Hasina be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice.
The conviction of Sheikh Hasina marks a significant turning point in Bangladesh's political landscape. As the nation braces for potential unrest, the long-term implications of this verdict on the country's stability and future elections remain uncertain.
