A former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was sentenced to death by a war crimes court for her role in a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising. The verdict, which includes a life sentence for crimes against humanity, was delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka. Hasina was accused of ordering lethal force to suppress the protests, resulting in numerous casualties.
The ruling has raised concerns about potential unrest ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Hasina’s Awami League party has been banned from participating in the elections, adding to the political tension in the country. The verdict can be appealed in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
In response to the sentencing, Hasina criticized the tribunal as biased and politically motivated, claiming the charges against her were orchestrated by an unelected government. She denounced the death penalty as a tactic to eliminate her political influence.
The trial revealed evidence of Hasina’s direct involvement in the crackdown, which led to a significant number of casualties during the protests. The violence during the uprising was described as the worst in Bangladesh since the country’s independence war in 1971.
Despite Hasina’s defense counsel arguing for her acquittal, the court upheld the verdict. The interim government maintained that the tribunal proceedings were transparent and not politically driven. Security measures have been heightened across the country in anticipation of potential unrest following the verdict.
Hasina’s political journey, from exile to leadership and eventual downfall, has been marked by periods of stability and controversy. Critics have accused her of authoritarian practices, including mass arrests and extrajudicial actions. Her rule was marred by allegations of one-party dominance and suppression of dissent.
As Bangladesh prepares for the upcoming elections, the sentencing of Sheikh Hasina has intensified political tensions in the country. The future political landscape remains uncertain as the nation navigates through this period of transition.