Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, along with her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, were sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday for crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July uprising.

The special tribunal, established under Hasina’s own government, handed down the death penalty on charges of “superior command responsibility” over the deaths of hundreds of civilians.

The three-member ICT-1 bench – chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder and joined by Justice Md Shofiul Alam Mahmood and Md Mohitul Haq Enam Chowdhury – delivered the landmark verdict on Monday, 17 November.

A summary of the 453-page ruling was read in a packed courtroom under tight security. It is divided into six parts and was broadcast live on Bangladesh Television and the ICT Chief Prosecutor’s Office Facebook page.

The tribunal held Hasina, Kamal, and former inspector general of police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun responsible for the 2024 bloodshed.

However, Mamun avoided the death penalty after pleading guilty and testifying against Hasina and Kamal, becoming an approver. He was present in court for the verdict and received a five-year prison sentence instead.

Hasina and Kamal were tried in absentia.

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman and ICT Chief Prosecutor Advocate Muhammad Tajul Islam welcomed the ruling, while state-appointed defence lawyer Advocate Md Amir Hossain criticised it, saying justice had not been served.

Md Asaduzzaman said, “We believe that this is a landmark step in fulfilling our responsibilities towards the martyrs of the 2024 mass uprising, the people, the Constitution, and the state.”

Advocate Tajul Islam added that the verdict “demonstrates Bangladesh’s capability to conduct trials in line with international legal standards.”

Advocate Md Amir Hossain said he was dissatisfied with the decision but noted that Hasina could only appeal if she surrendered or was detained by Bangladeshi authorities.

The 78-year-old former prime minister, who fled Bangladesh on 5 August 2024 amid the student-led mass movement and has defied court orders to return from India, described the verdict as “politically motivated.”

“The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate,” Hasina said in a statement issued from hiding in India, AFP reports.

The ICT also ordered the confiscation of Hasina and Kamal’s properties for redistribution to victims’ families and the injured in the 2024 uprising. Such a move is unprecedented in Bangladesh, though similar measures exist in other countries.

The tribunal found Hasina and Kamal guilty on two counts: incitement and ordering killings, and failure to prevent atrocities. They were sentenced to death for the Chankharpool massacre and the shooting and burning of six youths in Ashulia, Savar.

In addition, both were sentenced to imprisonment until natural death for systematic and widespread attacks on civilians, incitement, and ordering the use of lethal weapons, including helicopters.

“Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by her incitement, orders, and failure to take punitive measures,” the verdict states.

The ruling adds that Hasina explicitly incited her party activists and ordered the elimination of protesting students. As head of government and leader of the Awami League, she had “command and control” over state security forces and armed party members involved in the atrocities.

Kamal was found culpable for abetting the crimes and failing to prevent them. His actions and inaction directly contributed to the atrocities.

Regarding former IGP Mamun, the tribunal noted that his crimes were punishable by death but awarded a lenient sentence due to his cooperation.

Mamun provided a full account of events, expressed remorse, and apologised to both the tribunal and the Bangladeshi people.

While this is the first verdict relating to the 2024 atrocities, it is Hasina’s second conviction by the ICT.

On 2 July, ICT-1 sentenced her to six months’ imprisonment for contempt of court over remarks made in a phone conversation with a local leader about the tribunal.

Security around the tribunal was exceptionally tight, with a four-layer deployment comprising the Army, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, and police.

The interim government called the death sentence “historic” but warned that any attempt to create unrest would be met with a firm response. “We urge people to remain calm, restrained and responsible,” it said.

Dhaka has formally requested Hasina’s extradition from India, but New Delhi has so far remained silent.

The foreign ministry has now urged India to immediately extradite both Hasina and Khan.

According to the United Nations, over 1,400 people were killed in the final days of Hasina’s Awami League-led regime.

The verdict comes just over 15 months after her regime fell. Hasina fled Bangladesh on 5 August 2024 following the student-led uprising.

The ICT investigation into crimes against humanity allegations against Hasina began on 14 August. A miscellaneous case was filed on 16 October 2024, with the first arrest warrant issued the same day. Ex-IGP Mamun was arrested on 16 March 2025.

The investigation agency submitted its report on 12 May 2025, and the prosecution filed its charge sheet on 1 June. A warrant for Hasina and Kamal was again issued that day.

The charge-framing hearing began on 1 July, and the tribunal framed charges on 10 July, with Mamun agreeing to become an approver.

Public notices summoning Hasina and Kamal were published on 17 June, and a state defence lawyer was appointed on 24 June.

Formal trial proceedings began on 3 August, with the prosecution opening statement and testimony from the first witness. Of 84 witnesses, 54, including Mamun, testified.

Arguments began on 12 October, and the tribunal set 13 November to fix the judgment date, later announcing the verdict would be delivered on 17 November.

The reporter can be reached at: [email protected]