Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, exiled in India since being forced from power in July 2024, has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for crimes against humanity linked to her violent crackdown on student-led protests last year that left around 1,400 people dead. Tried in absentia, Hasina denied all charges, calling the trial politically motivated.

The tribunal found her guilty of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. The verdict marks a significant moment for the nation, vindicating anti-government protests while raising diplomatic challenges, as Bangladesh has requested her extradition from India, which has so far refused to comply.

The interim government hailed the sentence as historic but urged calm, while the UN noted its importance for victims but condemned the death penalty. Security remained tight in Dhaka as tensions rose ahead of the ruling, with protests and unrest reported.

The student uprising initially began over government job quotas but escalated into a broader anti-government movement, exposing years of political repression under Hasina’s 15-year rule.