The Verdict and What Happened
On 17 November 2025, a special tribunal in Dhaka found Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity in connection with the 2024 student-led protests and subsequent state crackdown.
She was sentenced in absentia, as she was living abroad (in India) at the time of the trial.
The charges included ordering lethal force, deploying drones and helicopters against protesters, failing to take preventive measures, and orchestrating state violence that reportedly killed up to 1,400 people.
The court’s verdict has triggered large-scale security measures in Bangladesh, as her party and supporters called for unrest and a nationwide ‘lockdown’.
Why This Case Matters
A Long-Serving Leader Brought to Trial
Hasina served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2024 in her last tenure, making her one of the most powerful political figures in the country’s history.
The case marks a rare instance of a former head of government being tried for mass civilian killings and human-rights abuses in South Asia.
Impacts on Politics and Rule of Law
- The conviction is a strong signal by the interim government that it will pursue accountability for abuses and end-of-term violence.
- It also raises concerns about fair-trial standards, given the tribunal's past critiques and the political turmoil surrounding the case. Human-rights groups have flagged concerns.
- Regional diplomatic tensions may rise, especially with India involved, given Hasina’s location abroad and Bangladesh’s extradition requests.
What Happens Next & What to Watch
- Whether India will respond to Bangladesh’s request to extradite Hasina remains uncertain and may impact relations.
- Will the elections scheduled in Bangladesh proceed smoothly, given the unrest and party ban of Hasina’s party?
- International observers will monitor how Bangladesh treats political rivals, how the justice process unfolds, and whether the death sentence is carried out.
- The broader question: will this case trigger a wider purge or crackdown on political opposition or shift the balance of power in Bangladesh’s politics?
Final Thoughts
The sentencing of Sheikh Hasina is historic, but it comes with heavy risks. For Bangladesh, it may offer a chance at accountability and a reset—but if mishandled, it could deepen instability or create new divisions.
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