In a landmark legal development that has sent shockwaves across the nation and the global political stage, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka. The conviction, which includes a Sheikh Hasina death sentence, was issued in absentia. The Sheikh Hasina death sentence verdict, delivered on Monday, November 17, 2025, comes as Hasina has been living in exile in India since August 2024, following the tumultuous student-led uprising that led to the end of her 15-year rule, a period marked by significant Bangladesh political crisis.
Sheikh Hasina Death Sentence and Charges in Landmark Trial
The three-judge bench of the ICT found Sheikh Hasina guilty of multiple charges of crimes against humanity. These charges include incitement, issuing orders for killings, and failing to take action to prevent atrocities during the widespread protests of July and August 2024. Alongside the death sentence, the Sheikh Hasina death sentence also entails a life sentence for crimes against humanity. The tribunal also delivered a death sentence in absentia to former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, a close aide also in exile in India. A third individual, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun, received a five-year prison term after pleading guilty and becoming a state witness against Hasina and Khan. This complex legal process highlights the severity of the Sheikh Hasina death sentence proceedings.
The 2024 Uprising and Deadly Crackdown
The protests that ultimately led to Hasina’s ouster began over issues related to government job quotas but rapidly escalated into a mass movement characterized by widespread civil unrest. The government’s response to the 2024 uprising Bangladesh has been widely criticized as a severe crackdown. The United Nations has estimated that as many as 1,400 people may have perished during the unrest, with Bangladesh’s interim government health advisor reporting over 800 fatalities and approximately 14,000 injuries. Reports from the time indicated the use of lethal force, including live ammunition, and described the government’s response as a “brutal response” and a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy to hold onto power.” The current interim government is led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Exile, Defiance, and Sheikh Hasina’s Response to Death Sentence
Since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024, Sheikh Hasina has been residing in exile in India, which has so far declined to extradite her despite formal requests from Dhaka. From her safe haven, Hasina has vehemently denounced the verdict, branding the ICT a “rigged tribunal,” a “politically motivated charade,” and a “kangaroo court.” She has asserted that neither she nor other political leaders ordered the killing of protesters and expressed a willingness to face accusers in a fair trial, stating she did not receive a fair chance to defend herself. She maintains that her government acted only “in good faith” to control disorder, directly contesting the basis for the Sheikh Hasina death sentence.
International Reactions and Political Tensions Surrounding the Sheikh Hasina Verdict
The international community has reacted to the sentencing, with the UN Human Rights Office acknowledging the Sheikh Hasina verdict as an “important moment for victims” but expressing opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances. In Bangladesh, political rivals, such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have hailed the judgment. The sentencing occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tension as the nation approaches parliamentary elections, anticipated in February 2026. Fears are mounting that the verdict could incite further unrest, particularly as Hasina’s Awami League party has reportedly been barred from contesting the elections. Security has been significantly tightened across Dhaka in anticipation of potential public reactions, with reports of crude bomb explosions and arson attacks having disrupted daily life in the preceding weeks. The international scrutiny of the Sheikh Hasina death sentence continues.
This global news marks a significant turning point in Bangladesh’s political history. The conviction and death sentence of a former prime minister, who remains in exile, carries profound implications for the country’s ongoing political transition, its democratic future, and its relationship with neighboring India. The trending developments underscore the deep divisions and unresolved issues following last year’s upheaval, making the upcoming elections a crucial juncture for the nation. The presence of Bangladesh exile politics further complicates the situation.
