Dhaka [Bangladesh], November 17 (ANI): A Bangladesh court on Monday afternoon found ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guilty of committing “crimes against humanity” during the July–August 2024 uprising. Local media reported that the International Crimes Tribunal-1 has sentenced Hasina to death.
The tribunal found the former prime minister guilty on all five charges of crimes against humanity, the Dhaka Tribune reported. The news outlet said the historic judgment concludes that Hasina and two other accused — former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — orchestrated and enabled atrocities during the July–August movement.
The Awami League leader, who is currently in exile in India, was tried in absentia. The 78-year-old fled to New Delhi after the fall of her regime in Dhaka.
“Accused prime minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by her incitement order and also failure to take preventive and punitive measures under charge 1,” the International Crimes Tribunal said, as cited by Al Jazeera. It added that Hasina “committed one count of crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters, and lethal weapons under charge number 2.”
Bangladesh Television broadcast live proceedings of Justice Golam Murtaza, who heads the International Crimes Tribunal-1 — a three-member panel overseeing the case — as he began reading the verdict on Monday afternoon. The tribunal stated that Hasina “ordered to kill the protesting students” during the July–August unrest, Bangladesh News 24 reported.
The three-member bench, which also includes Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury, entered the courtroom at around 9:55 a.m., with proceedings beginning at noon. The ruling is being broadcast live, according to Bangladesh News 24.
Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the only accused currently in custody, was brought to the court’s lock-up at 9 a.m. He has already pleaded guilty and turned state’s witness.
The two other accused — Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — are being tried in absentia after being declared fugitives. Both fled to India following Hasina’s August 5 ouster during the student-led uprising.
On July 10, the tribunal indicted Hasina, Asaduzzaman, and Mamun on five charges of inciting, instigating, and ordering the killing of 1,400 people to suppress the July uprising, “superior command responsibility,” and “joint criminal enterprise.”
Hasina was ousted from power on August 5, 2024, and fled to India amid the mass student protests. It is believed that Asaduzzaman is also in India. The trial has proceeded in absentia after the court declared both as fugitives, according to Bangladesh News 24.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam told reporters last week that the prosecution had sought the death penalty for Hasina and Asaduzzaman. “We have petitioned the court for the maximum punishment. The court will exercise its discretion, and we pray that the accused be given the maximum punishment for this crime,” he said.
Families of some of the victims were present at the tribunal on Monday, many calling for the harshest possible sentence.
Security has been increased at the court premises and surrounding areas since morning, ahead of the verdict.
Meanwhile, Hasina’s party, the Awami League, announced a “complete shutdown” for Sunday and Monday in response to the verdict. Sporadic crude bomb blasts and the torching of vehicles were reported in several areas, including Dhaka.
Sheikh Hasina, who headed the now-banned Awami League party, faces a total of five charges. These include orchestrating mass killings of protesters in Dhaka, using helicopters and drones to fire on civilian crowds, the murder of student activist Abu Sayed, the incineration of bodies in Ashulia to destroy evidence, and the coordinated killing of demonstrators in Chankharpul.
The case against Hasina and her two aides concerns crimes committed between July 15 and August 5, 2024, during student demonstrations against the government. The formal charge documents span 8,747 pages and include references, seized evidence, and a detailed list of victims, the Dhaka Tribune reported.
Prosecutors say Hasina made inflammatory remarks at a July 14, 2024 press conference at Ganabhaban, after which law enforcement personnel and ruling-party activists allegedly launched systematic attacks on students and civilians.
The ICT tribunal examined whether Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun instigated, supported, or allowed these assaults, and whether they failed to prevent or punish murder, attempted murder, and torture during the crackdown, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
The former prime minister is accused of directing the use of helicopters, drones, and live ammunition to contain the protests. Kamal and Mamun allegedly relayed and enforced these orders through their chain of command, which prosecutors say constitutes crimes against humanity through orders, abetment, and conspiracy.
The trio also face charges for the July 16, 2024 shooting death of Abu Sayeed in front of Begum Rokeya University. Prosecutors allege the killing followed directives from top political and security leaders, making the accused liable for ordering, aiding, and conspiring in the attack.
On August 5, 2024, six students were shot dead during law enforcement action in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area. Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun have been charged with responsibility for the operation that led to their deaths.
On the same day in Ashulia, six people were shot; five bodies were burned, and the sixth victim, reportedly still alive, was allegedly burned alongside them. Prosecutors say the killings were executed with the knowledge, involvement, and approval of the accused, Bangladesh media reported.
Defense lawyer Md Amir Hossain rejected the allegations as “false and fabricated,” saying there is no documentary evidence that Hasina ordered any killings, and alleging that a “separate group” carried out the violence that destabilized the country, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
About The Author
