Bangladesh's Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced To Death For 'Crimes Against Humanity' During 2024 Protests

Dhaka, Bangladesh: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has been found guilty of ‘crimes against humanity’ during the 2024 students’ protest that led to her ouster and the fall of the Awami league government. The Bangladesh Court convicted Hasina to death sentence on three counts which include ordering mass killings, preventing justice, and failing to take measures to stop such killings.

While delivering the verdict, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal said, that the accused prime minister committed crimes against humanity by her incitement order and also failure to take preventive and punitive measures under charge.

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The three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Mohd Golam Mortuza Majumder, also pronounced its judgement against Hasina’s two aides – former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, over the same charges.

Hasina and Kamal have been declared fugitives and tried in absentia, while Mamun initially faced trial in person before turning approver.

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The court observed that the Awami league government did not care about students’ demands and instead undermined the movement and made derogatory remarks pointing towards the students.

The derogatory remarks incited students, including females, leading to the protests. Sheikh Hasina then ordered the “elimination of protesting students,” the court stated.

The court further pointed out that the prosecution’s witnesses proved that the attack on Dhaka University students was by Awami League wings, including the Chhatra League and Yuva League. It added that Hasina ordered law enforcement agencies to use drones to locate congregating protesters and helicopters and lethal weapons to kill them,