DHAKA: A domestic war crimes court in Bangladesh has sentenced former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia, finding her guilty of crimes against humanity during the deadly 2024 student-led protests. The court ruled that Hasina incited violence, failed to act to prevent atrocities, and issued orders that contributed to widespread killings.
Read More: Hasina sentence ‘internal matter,’ says Pakistan
Hasina, living in exile in India, denies all charges, calling the verdict “biased and politically motivated.” She challenged Bangladesh’s caretaker government to present the case before the International Criminal Court, insisting she is willing to face a proper tribunal.
The court’s judgment relied on extensive evidence, including a February 2025 UN report, which estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed and 11,700 detained during the unrest. Security forces were found to have systematically engaged in rights violations, including the deaths of nearly 180 children, according to UN investigators. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International documented similar patterns of violence, including summary executions and excessive use of live ammunition.
Yunus-led interim regime has officially written to New Delhi seeking the EXTRADITION of Sheikh Hasina
~ This is after its puppet ICT tribunal sentenced her to death.If India sends her back, Yunus & his Islamist backers will project it as a victory over India, weaponising… pic.twitter.com/ycmTQb2ffS
— The Analyzer (News Updates️) (@Indian_Analyzer) November 24, 2025
The verdict also highlighted that multiple branches of the security apparatus acted in concert, while senior officials did not intervene despite having the ability to prevent abuses. Families of victims see the ruling as the first official acknowledgment of their loss, with UN reports describing parents searching hospitals and police stations in vain for missing children.
The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, faces the challenge of securing Hasina’s extradition from India, where she has lived since her ouster. Delhi has responded cautiously, citing concerns over the political nature of the charges. Meanwhile, Hasina supporters have already clashed with security forces in Dhaka and Chattogram, raising concerns over renewed unrest ahead of February 2026 national elections.
Read More: Bangladesh court sentences ex-PM Sheikh Hasina to death
The verdict establishes an official record of state responsibility for widespread violations, but the path forward — including potential prosecutions, reforms, or extradition — remains uncertain, underscoring the fragile political climate in Bangladesh.