Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been convicted of crimes against humanity by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Exiled in India, Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death. In two out of five charges, she received the death penalty while serving life imprisonment in the remaining cases. Reacting to this judgment, Sheikh Hasina declared the decision to be from a politically motivated sham court.
In July-August 2024, Sheikh Hasina was found responsible by the ICT for the violence and deaths during a student movement in Bangladesh. The three-member bench, headed by Justice Mohammad Golam Mortaza Majumdar, stated that Sheikh Hasina employed drones and helicopters to commit crimes against humanity.
The court claimed that the then Prime Minister issued orders to use lethal weapons to suppress the movement, resulting in 1,400 deaths and approximately 24,000 injuries. Citing her as the mastermind behind these actions, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death.
The decision has sparked outrage among experts, who are labeling it as illegal. They argue the verdict was rushed for political reasons, without granting Sheikh Hasina a chance to defend herself.
Renowned defense analyst Dr. Brahma Chellaney termed the tribunal as a kangaroo court on social media platform 'X,' stating, 'Bangladesh's kangaroo court: The ICT's death sentence against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina isn't surprising. The caretaker government and its backers have weaponized legal procedures to eliminate their strongest political adversaries. This judgment isn't a judicial outcome but a calculated act of political revenge.'
Source: aajtak
He elaborated, 'Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, the largest political party credited with Bangladesh's liberation, has already been banned. The Yunus-led government has already declared the February 2026 election unlawful by banning the party. Through the death sentence from the tribunal filled with politically inclined judges, they aim to weaken Hasina's support base.'
Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, also dismissed the tribunal's ruling as illegal, labeling it as a hastily delivered verdict.
In conversation with Aaj Tak, she questioned, 'The court stated 1,400 people died during the protests. Where did these figures come from? Did the court identify who these 1,400 victims were, or those imprisoned during the movement? No evidence was provided.'
She further stated, 'This is a hurried decision—unprecedented in Bangladesh's history.'
Prior to Hasina's sentencing, reports of violence surfaced in Dhaka, with her supporters allegedly attacking with crude bombs. However, no casualties have been reported. Considering this tense scenario, Yunus's government deployed significant military forces on the sentencing day, Monday, in Dhaka.
The security forces have been given 'shoot to kill' orders by Yunus's government, mandating them to immediately shoot anyone inciting violence or arson.
Referencing this directive, Veena Sikri remarks, 'The Yunus government has ordered to shoot anyone spreading disorder... Now, Hasina is sentenced over Orders to Kill. The charge levied against Hasina matches the orders Yunus also gives. This is an unlawful decision.'
Retired Major General and defense expert Sanjay Meston commented that democracy has been destroyed in Bangladesh. Speaking with Aaj Tak, he explained, 'This game in Bangladesh is being played by America and Pakistan. Both countries aim for Bangladesh to become a separate province of Pakistan, evolving it into a radical Islamic country against India.'
India's former ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar is not surprised by the tribunal's decision, stating that all its members are affiliates of the Yunus government.
Discussing with Aaj Tak, he said, 'The decision was entirely expected; Hasina and her son anticipated such an outcome. All tribunal members were appointed by Yunus's government. The judges will act according to Yunus's desires. As far as evidence is concerned, Sheikh Hasina repeatedly expressed grief for the deceased. However, no evidence has demonstrated that she ordered the killings.'
