Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death by Dhaka’s International Crimes Tribunal; Held Guilty in Student Protest Killings

Dhaka | Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka on Monday. The court found her guilty of being the mastermind behind the killings that took place during the student protests in July–August 2024.

The tribunal convicted Hasina in two out of five major cases involving instigating killings and ordering lethal action, awarding her the death penalty. In the remaining cases, she was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Other Accused Also Sentenced

Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was also found guilty of the murder of 12 people and sentenced to death.
Former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun received 5 years in prison and has reportedly turned into a state witness while being in custody.

The court has also ordered the confiscation of all properties belonging to Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan.

What Were the Charges?

During the July–August 2024 student uprising, the Hasina government was accused of:

Ordering firing on unarmed protesters

Drone and helicopter attacks

Use of lethal force by police

Enforced disappearances of hundreds of people

Torture and extrajudicial killings

Destroying evidence

Pressuring investigation agencies and the judiciary

The unrest led to the death of more than 1,400 people nationwide.

Evidence and Witnesses

The tribunal relied on testimonies of 84 witnesses, including survivors, doctors, journalists, and former officials.
Key evidence included:

Audio tapes and video footage linked to Hasina’s alleged “shoot-to-kill” orders

Drone logs

Hospital records

Statements from government insiders

Hasina’s Reaction

Reacting to the verdict, Sheikh Hasina stated that the judgment was politically motivated and said she would contest it through legal means. Hasina fled Bangladesh on 5 August 2024 following a military-led takeover and has been living abroad since then.

The court has allowed Hasina 30 days to file an appeal against the verdict.