The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh today sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the student-led uprising in July and August of last year, a verdict that marks a seismic moment in the nation’s political and judicial history.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict from the 453-page judgment amid unprecedented security measures across the capital. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also awarded the death penalty, while former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned state witness, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. The court further ordered the confiscation of properties belonging to Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in favour of the state.
Crimes Against Humanity Charges
The charges stem from the violent suppression of the student-led mass uprising in 2024, which ultimately led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 last year. Prosecutors had sought the death penalty for all accused, alleging the widespread and systematic nature of the violence.
Sheikh Hasina, 78, currently residing in India, was tried in absentia after defying tribunal orders to return and face trial. She has consistently denied all charges leveled against her. Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal remains a fugitive, while Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun is in custody and pleaded guilty, becoming the first accused to turn state witness since the tribunal’s establishment in 2010.
The prosecution submitted five counts against the accused, holding them responsible under superior command responsibility for actions including failure to prevent murder, incitement, abetting, facilitation, and conspiracy.
The specific charges included:
- Count-1: Murder, attempted murder, torture, and other inhumane acts against civilians by law enforcement and affiliated armed cadres.
- Count-2: Ordering the use of lethal weapons, helicopters, and drones to suppress protesters.
- Count-3: The murder of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayed on July 16.
- Count-4: Orchestrating the murder of six unarmed protesters in Chankharpul on August 5.
- Count-5: The shooting dead of five protesters and the injury of another, and the subsequent burning of bodies to destroy evidence.
Security and Legal Fallout
Proceedings began on August 4, with 54 of 81 listed prosecution witnesses, including former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, offering testimony. The tribunal framed charges on July 10, following the submission of a 135-page charge sheet supported by 8,747 pages of documents and evidence.
In anticipation of the historic verdict, a massive four-layer security blanket, involving the army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, police, and Armed Police Battalion, has been deployed around the tribunal premises. Movement of all vehicular traffic along the road from the High Court gate to Doyel Chattar has been severely restricted.
The verdict marks the first time the ICT has ruled on the atrocities committed during the 2024 uprising. Sheikh Hasina faces three additional cases at the ICT, involving enforced disappearances and the alleged mass killings at Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar in 2013, further solidifying the legal challenges confronting the deposed leader.
