Former Bangladeshi prime minister sentenced to death for crimes against humanity

The former prime minister was not present in court to hear the sentence, as she lives in exile in India. In court, relatives of people killed in the protests applauded and celebrated the decision.

Remember the case

Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country since 2009, was forced into exile in India after student protests were violently repressed. According to the UN, at least 1,400 people lost their lives in the riots, most of them civilians.

Hasina, nicknamed the “iron lady”, has been accused of repeatedly violating human rights during her rule. Political opponents would be its biggest victims. At his trial in absentia in Bangladesh, the prosecution sought the death penalty.

Since its fall, the country has been governed by an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. The country’s legislative elections are scheduled for February.

Despite the change of government, there are still reports of police repression in the country. Between August 2024 and September 2025, at least 281 people died, including 40 in extrajudicial executions and 153 victims of lynching, according to Odhikar, Bangladesh’s main human rights organization.