Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Faces Death Sentence After War Crimes Verdict

Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death after a special tribunal found her guilty of crimes against humanity, marking one of the most dramatic turns in the country’s political history.

The verdict, announced by a government-backed war crimes court, follows months of turmoil after Hasina was removed from power in a sweeping political shift earlier this year. The charges stem from allegations related to violent crackdowns, extrajudicial abuses, and human rights violations attributed to security forces during her final years in office.

Hasina, who led Bangladesh for more than 15 years across multiple terms, has denounced the proceedings as politically motivated. Her supporters argue that the trial was engineered by the country’s new leadership to eliminate her influence and dismantle the political network of her party, the Awami League.

The tribunal rejected those claims, stating that the evidence presented demonstrated systematic abuses under her direction. The court delivered the death sentence amid tight security, with authorities bracing for unrest in Dhaka and other cities.

Her legal team has vowed to appeal, though the timeline for the appeals process remains unclear. International observers and human rights groups are expected to closely follow the developments, with some already warning of escalating instability.

Hasina’s fall from power—and now her death sentence—has plunged Bangladesh into uncertainty. Political rivals are competing to fill the leadership vacuum, while citizens brace for potential nationwide protests. The case underscores the country’s deepening political divide and raises new questions about the future of democratic institutions in Bangladesh.

Author: M.J