Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on Monday, November 17, 2025 by a special tribunal, accused of crimes against humanity during last year’s student-led protests.
The ruling, delivered in her absence, has stirred fear and anger across the nation.
Hasina, living in exile in India since August 2024, called the verdict “rigged,” “biased,” and “politically motivated,” insisting she was denied a fair trial.
“This is not justice. This is an attempt to silence me and destroy my party,” her team quoted her as saying.
The court held Hasina responsible for the deaths of students during the July–August 2024 uprising, which left over 1,400 people dead according to UN estimates.
Two of her co-accused, including her former home minister, were also sentenced to death, while another received five years in prison.
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The verdict has divided the country. Families of students killed in the protests demand accountability, while Hasina’s supporters see it as a political maneuver.
Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, warned that the ruling could spark unrest and mass voter boycotts.
Human rights groups have expressed concern over the fairness of the trial, questioning whether the tribunal is being used for political purposes rather than justice.
As Hasina faces a death sentence from afar, Bangladesh struggles with grief, fear, and uncertainty about its future.