Bangladesh Tribunal Finds Sheikh Hasina Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity, Sentences Her to Death

A tribunal in Bangladesh examining serious accusations against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ruled that she deserves the highest level of punishment for alleged crimes against humanity linked to last year's unrest.

The former leader, who is currently in exile in New Delhi, was sentenced to death on Monday. Responding earlier, Hasina had claimed that all accusations were fabricated and said she was not concerned about the outcome.

Family Says They Expected the Death Penalty

Before the judgment was announced, her son and advisor Sajeeb Wazed said the family was mentally prepared for the harshest verdict. He said, "death sentence" was anticipated and added that nothing would happen to his mother since "she is in India and is safe there."

In an audio message shared with her supporters ahead of the tribunal order, Hasina accused Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and the interim government of attempting to destroy the Awami League. "It is not so easy, Awami League has come up from the grassroots, not from the pocket of some usurper of power" the 78 year old leader said in Bengali.

Hasina said people spontaneously gathered to protest in her support. "They have given us faith. People will show this corrupt, militant, and murderer Yunus and his aides how Bangladesh can turn around; the people will do justice" she added.

Another Top Leader Also Sentenced to Death

The tribunal also sentenced former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death in a trial held in his absence. He was found guilty of committing crimes against humanity and was identified as a key aide in the case proceedings.

A long time ally of India, Hasina left for Delhi after widespread demonstrations turned violent, ultimately stepping down before leaving the country. The interim administration headed by Yunus accused her of crimes against humanity. She refused to appear before the Dhaka tribunal despite summons instructing her to join the proceedings.

Calling for calm among her supporters, she said, "I am alive, I will stay alive, I will work for the welfare of people again, and I will do justice on Bangladesh's soil." She also accused Yunus of overthrowing an elected government and said that removing public representatives by force is a punishable violation under the constitution. "Yunus has done exactly that through his meticulous designs" she stated.

Hasina Defends Her Government's Record

She said her government had accepted major demands of the student protesters but new demands kept surfacing. According to her, this was a deliberate attempt to trigger instability. Rejecting allegations of human rights abuses, she said, "I gave refuge to 10 lakh Rohingya and they accuse me of violating human rights?"

She criticised the interim authority for granting amnesty to people accused of killing police personnel, Awami League workers, journalists, lawyers, and cultural activists. "But by extending amnesty to such people, he has effectively brought the blame on himself" she said. Calling it an injustice to victims, she asked, "What kind of humanity is this?"

Vows to Continue Political Battle

"I do not care. Allah gave me life, Allah will take it, but I will keep working for the people of my country. I have lost my parents, my siblings, and they burnt down my home" she said.

Reacting to reports of damage at Gonobhaban after her removal, she said, "Gonobhaban is not my property, it is government property. They are saying it is a revolution. Hooligans and terrorists cannot bring a revolution."

Reassuring her party cadre, she said, "I am with the people. I am telling my party workers: do not worry, it is a matter of time, I know you are suffering, we will not forget this, everything will be accounted for. And I believe I will be able to give it back, inshallah."

She concluded by highlighting achievements of her past administration and said the current situation was deteriorating. "Today, the number of unemployed people is increasing. There is no income. There is no production in the country. Industries are closing down. Banks are being looted. We have to free Bangladesh from this situation. Everyone, please stay well. Jai Bangla, Jai Bangla, Bangladesh" she said.