On 17 November 2025, a three-member bench of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1), led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered a watershed verdict: Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death in absentia. Her co-accused include former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, also handed the death penalty, and ex-Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who received five years’ imprisonment in exchange for cooperating.
Background: The July–August 2024 Uprising
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The trial stems from a brutal crackdown on a student-led protest movement in July–August 2024, which rapidly grew into a nationwide uprising.
The ICT-1 tribunal, which was reactivated under the interim government, framed five charges against Hasina and her allies.
These charges include murder, attempted murder, torture, incitement, superior command responsibility, and failure to prevent atrocities.
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The tribunal compiled 8,747 pages of evidentiary material — encompassing official reports, postmortem data, flight logs, audio recordings, and testimony from 54 witnesses.
Key Findings of the Tribunal
1. Incitement to Violence & Hate Speech
The court found that Hasina had incited her base during a July 14 press briefing, calling protesters “Razakars” — a derogatory term tied to collaborators from earlier conflicts. According to the judgment, she failed to punish those who attacked students, despite her authority.
2. Orders to Use Lethal Force
One of the most damning accusations: Hasina allegedly ordered the deployment of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons against the protestors. The tribunal quoted recorded conversations where she gave “open orders” to shoot protestors “wherever they find them.”
3. Killings of Specific Protesters
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Abu Sayed: A student from Begum Rokeya University, allegedly shot from close range on July 16.
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Chankharpul Incident: Six unarmed protesters were allegedly killed on August 5 by forces under direction. Ashulia Tragedy: The tribunal accused Hasina, Kamal, and Mamun of shooting and then burning the bodies of five protesters; a sixth was allegedly burned while alive.
4. Superior Command Responsibility
The judgment framed Hasina as the “mastermind,” “planner,” and “superior commander” behind the crackdown. The court criticized her for not enforcing punitive measures against those who carried out the violence.
5. Cooperation & Sentencing of Co-Accused
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Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal: Also sentenced to death.
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Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun: Pleaded guilty, turned state witness, and cooperated, which earned him a reduced sentence of five years.
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The tribunal noted his cooperation provided “material evidence” crucial to reaching a verdict.
Compensation & Acknowledgment of Victims
In its ruling, the tribunal directed the government to pay significant compensation to the families of those who died in the uprising, as well as to those injured during the protests. The court recognized the severity of the injuries and the scale of loss, calling for redress measures to reflect that gravity.
Reactions and Aftermath
Hasina and Her Party's Response
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Hasina has fiercely rejected the verdict, calling the trial a “politically motivated”, “kangaroo court” convened by an unelected government.
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She insisted that the trial lacks legitimacy, and continues to voice her defiance while in exile in India.
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Leaders of her Awami League party, currently banned, have condemned the ruling and called for protests.
Security & Political Tension
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In anticipation of the verdict, authorities deployed army units, border guards, Rapid Action Battalions, and police across Dhaka and around the tribunal.
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The courtroom itself was under heavy guard as the 453-page judgment was read aloud.
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Analysts warn that this verdict could trigger heightened political volatility ahead of national elections scheduled for February 2026.
International & Human Rights Observations
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Human rights organizations like HRW have expressed concern about due process, highlighting possible violations such as witness tampering or improper defense rights.
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At the same time, the conviction has been framed as a symbolic step toward accountability, especially by the interim government, which campaigned on prosecuting the violence. Legally, the verdict can be appealed to Bangladesh’s Supreme Court.
Significance of the Verdict
This ruling against Sheikh Hasina marks one of the most consequential moments in Bangladesh’s modern political history. It underscores:
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A shift toward accountability for high-level political leaders;
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The use of the ICT-1 tribunal to address mass violence beyond its traditional war crimes remit;
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How transitional justice is being leveraged in Bangladesh’s fraught political landscape — balancing retribution, deterrence, and reconciliation.
Conclusion
The 17 November 2025 verdict against Sheikh Hasina by Bangladesh’s ICT-1 is a dramatic turning point. Convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death in absentia, Hasina stands condemned for her role in one of the most violent crackdowns in Bangladesh’s recent history. The tribunal’s decision, supported by detailed evidence and high-profile testimony, signals a potent message: no political figure, however powerful, is beyond the reach of accountability — at least under the current interim regime. The coming weeks and months, especially with national elections looming, will test whether this verdict serves as a foundation for genuine justice or a further spark for unrest.
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