Why was the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Hasina sentenced to death?

The International Criminal Tribunal of Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity related to the suppression of mass protests in 2024. Former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death, while former Chief Inspector of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who pleaded guilty, received five years in prison. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

What is known about the verdict

The tribunal's session was broadcast by the national television channel BTV. The judge announced that Sheikh Hasina was found guilty on all five counts, ordering the use of drones, helicopters and deadly weapons against the demonstrators. She was sentenced to capital punishment.

After the verdict was announced, there were cheers and applause in the courtroom, which the judge asked to stop.

Sheikh Hasina, who has been in India since August last year, denied all charges. She stated that she had not given orders to kill the protesters, and shifted responsibility to the current head of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus. Former police chief Al Mamoun, who pleaded guilty and cooperated with the investigation, was the only defendant present in the courtroom. He admitted his guilt and cooperated with the investigation, which influenced the commutation of his sentence.

What preceded the trial of the head of government

The protests began in Bangladesh at the end of June 2024 as peaceful rallies of students unhappy with high unemployment and lack of economic prospects. In July, the Government shut down the Internet across the country amid escalating violence. Police said the protesters set fire to several government buildings, including the state broadcasting company, as well as the national disaster management agency.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left Bangladesh on August 5, 2024. According to India Today, she flew to India in a military helicopter with her sister. Subsequently, as reported by The Hindu, Sheikh Hasina applied for asylum in the UK.

Army Commander General Waqer-Uz-Zaman announced the transfer of power to an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

What political role do students play?

The students, who played a key role in the government's resignation, rejected calls from the two main political parties for urgent elections. According to the Reuters news agency, they planned to create their own political force to carry out large-scale reforms in the country in 2024.

The student leaders protested their desire to end the duopoly that has dominated Bangladesh's politics for most of the past three decades. Later, they took part in the work of the interim government, helping Muhammad Yunus.

What further steps are the authorities planning?

The Chairman of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, announced that his administration would seek the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India. According to the Associated Press, he also announced the beginning of work with Interpol to receive a red notice on the arrest of the former prime minister and her accomplices.

Yunus noted that all human rights violations during Hasina's rule, including violence and missing persons, will be investigated. He called holding new elections to transfer power to the elected government the most important task, but did not specify specific dates.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.