A former prime minister was sentenced to death by the very judicial tribunal she created, marking an unprecedented moment when a leader’s own institution turned against her for ordering the massacre of over 1,400 protesters.
Story Highlights
- Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death in absentia for orchestrating deadly crackdown on student protesters in 2024
- Over 1,400 people killed during three-week period of state violence between July-August 2024
- Former prime minister convicted by International Crimes Tribunal she established in 2010
- Death sentence complicates India’s potential extradition decision, possibly preventing full accountability
- Verdict creates political uncertainty ahead of Bangladesh’s February 2026 elections
The Tribunal’s Ironic Justice
Sheikh Hasina established Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal in 2010 to prosecute war criminals from the 1971 independence conflict. Fifteen years later, that same institution delivered her death sentence for crimes against humanity. The courtroom erupted in cheers when the verdict was announced on November 17, 2025, reflecting widespread public support for holding the former leader accountable.
The tribunal found Hasina guilty of masterminding a security response that resulted in the worst political violence Bangladesh had witnessed since its founding. She faces five charges primarily related to inciting murder and ordering the deployment of lethal weapons, drones, and helicopters against civilian protesters. The conviction occurred while Hasina remains in exile in India, where she fled on August 5, 2024.
From Student Protests to State Massacre
What began as focused student demonstrations against an unfair job quota system rapidly transformed into a broader uprising against authoritarianism. In June 2024, university students organized protests against Bangladesh’s quota system that reserved thirty percent of public service positions for descendants of war veterans. Students argued this system unfairly favored the ruling party’s supporters over merit-based selection.
By mid-July, the movement had evolved beyond civil service reform into a comprehensive challenge to Hasina’s fifteen-year rule. Economic hardship, alleged human rights abuses, and accusations of corruption had created widespread discontent. The government’s response was swift and brutal. Between July 15 and August 5, security forces killed approximately 1,400 people, with thousands more injured according to UN estimates.
The Extradition Dilemma Creates Strategic Problems
Legal experts suggest the death penalty may have been a massive strategic mistake by Bangladesh’s current government. While the verdict symbolically delivers justice, the capital punishment aspect significantly reduces the likelihood of India extraditing Hasina. International institutions including the UN and Western states typically oppose extradition when execution is probable, even when formal agreements exist between nations.
India faces complex diplomatic calculations regarding Hasina’s fate. An extradition agreement exists between New Delhi and Dhaka, but complying would set a precedent for future political asylum cases. Bangladesh formally requested Hasina’s return last year, though Indian officials have not responded. The decision will substantially influence bilateral relations and Bangladesh’s political trajectory as the country prepares for February 2026 elections.
Sources:
The Week – Sheikh Hasina: Why ousted Bangladesh PM has been sentenced to death
