Background of the Charges
In a significant legal development, Bangladeshi prosecutors have called for the death penalty for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from a violent crackdown on student-led protests between July and August 2024, which reportedly resulted in up to 1,400 deaths, according to United Nations estimates.
Prosecution’s Argument
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam presented the case before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on October 16, 2025. He argued that Hasina was the central figure orchestrating the alleged crimes during the uprising. Islam emphasized the severity of the accusations, stating, “For a single murder, one death penalty is the rule. For 1,400 murders, she should be sentenced 1,400 times—but since that is not humanly possible, we demand at least one.”
Co-Defendants and Legal Proceedings
Alongside Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal faces similar charges and is also a fugitive believed to be in India. The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Kamal as well. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who has pleaded guilty and turned state witness, is being considered separately by the tribunal.
The trial, which commenced on June 1, 2025, has included testimonies alleging Hasina’s direct involvement in ordering or failing to prevent mass killings. Audio recordings presented by the prosecution purportedly capture Hasina instructing security forces to “use lethal weapons” against protesters.
Hasina’s Response and Current Status
Sheikh Hasina, aged 78, has been tried in absentia, having fled to India following her ouster in August 2024. She has defied court orders to return to Bangladesh and has not appointed legal representation for the trial. In July 2025, she was sentenced in absentia to six months in jail for contempt of court related to a leaked audio recording in which she allegedly made inflammatory remarks about retaliating against the numerous legal cases she faces.
Political Context and Future Implications
The charges against Hasina have intensified political tensions in Bangladesh. Her party, the Awami League, has been banned, and the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has pledged to hold democratic elections in February 2026. The prosecution’s demand for the death penalty underscores the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing efforts to address alleged human rights violations during Hasina’s tenure.
As the trial progresses, the international community continues to monitor the situation, emphasizing the importance of due process and the rule of law in addressing past human rights abuses.
