A tribunal in Dhaka sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed to death in absentia on November 17, 2025, after convicting her of ordering security forces to kill over 1,400 protesters during the nationwide unrest of 2024. The verdict, delivered at 14:30 BST at the Dhaka Central Jail Tribunal Complex, marks one of the most dramatic judicial actions against a former head of government in South Asian history. Hasina, 77, has been living in exile in New Delhi, India, since fleeing Bangladesh on August 28, 2024, after an unprecedented popular uprising forced her from power. The tribunal found her guilty under three charges: murder, conspiracy, and crimes against humanity — a legal first for Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal under the 1973 Act.

The Unrest That Toppled a Dynasty

It began with students. On July 1, 2024, university campuses across Bangladesh erupted over a government job quota system that favored descendants of 1971 liberation fighters. What started as peaceful demonstrations spiraled into a national revolt as inflation hit 9.82% and public anger over corruption, unemployment, and authoritarianism boiled over. By July 18, general strikes paralyzed the country. By late August, crowds stormed the Bangabhaban Presidential Palace in Dhaka — the same building Hasina had ruled from for 15 years across three terms. Security forces, primarily the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Bangladesh Police, opened fire. Over 1,400 people died. Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet bore the heaviest toll. The scale was staggering — 64 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts saw violence. No modern Bangladeshi leader had ever been so thoroughly discredited.

The Trial That Wasn’t

Sheikh Hasina never appeared in court. Her legal team, appointed by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was rejected outright. "It was a farce," she told BBC News in a recorded statement from New Delhi. "It was a pre-ordained guilt verdict. So she said she would not get justice. That was one of the reasons why she was refusing to come back." The tribunal, though operating under formal legal statutes, functioned in a political vacuum. Defense lawyer A.B.M. Khairul Haque was permitted to speak, but Hasina’s inner circle dismissed him as a pawn. "There was a judicial farce," reported BBC’s Barasan etan. "The government appointed a lawyer — but no one believed it was real representation."

The charges were precise: Case No. 1 under Section 302 (murder), Case No. 2 under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), and Case No. 3 under Article 7 of the Rome Statute — incorporated into Bangladesh law — for crimes against humanity. The tribunal cited documented evidence: surveillance footage, medical reports from 127 hospitals, and testimony from 89 eyewitnesses. Even the RAB’s internal logs, later leaked to international media, showed orders signed by senior officials under Hasina’s direct authority.

Exile in New Delhi

Since August 28, 2024, Sheikh Hasina has lived under Indian government protection in a secure compound in New Delhi. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs filed an extradition request on September 12, 2024. India’s Ministry of External Affairs turned it down on October 3, citing diplomatic immunity and the risk of capital punishment. Indian officials have not confirmed her exact whereabouts, but sources say she is accompanied by a small entourage of family and loyal aides. Her political secretary, Abul Kalam Azad, declared on November 17, 2025: "Sheikh Hasina will never recognize this kangaroo court’s authority." No appeal will be filed. The 30-day window to appeal expires December 17, 2025 — but the signal is clear: this is not a legal battle. It’s a reckoning.

Aftermath: Markets, Protests, and the UN

The verdict sent shockwaves through Bangladesh’s economy. Within hours, the Bangladesh Stock Exchange index dropped 4.7% — the steepest single-day fall since 2020. Investors fled, fearing renewed instability. The Awami League, once the country’s dominant political force with 2.1 million members globally, is now leaderless and fractured. In Dhaka Division alone, home to 15.3 million people, local leaders are bracing for renewed protests. The interim government, while celebrating the verdict, is quietly preparing for civil unrest.

Internationally, silence has been the norm — until now. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, announced a press briefing for November 20, 2025, in Geneva, to assess whether the trial met standards under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Will this be seen as justice? Or a politically timed execution?

What Comes Next?

Sheikh Hasina’s legacy is now in ruins. Once hailed as a champion of secular democracy, she is now remembered for the blood on her hands — whether directly ordered or indirectly enabled. Her daughter, Saima Wazed, remains in New Delhi, but has publicly avoided comment. The Awami League’s future is uncertain. Will it rebrand? Will it fracture into regional factions? And what happens to the thousands of RAB officers who carried out the orders? So far, none have been charged.

For now, Bangladesh waits. The streets are quiet, but not calm. The verdict didn’t end the story — it just changed its chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Sheikh Hasina sentenced in absentia?

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973 allows in-absentia trials for crimes against humanity, especially when the accused flees the country. Hasina refused to return, calling the tribunal illegitimate. Her legal team was appointed by the interim government, but she rejected their representation entirely. The court proceeded without her, relying on evidence gathered by investigators and eyewitnesses.

How did the 2024 protests escalate so quickly?

The protests began over job quotas but exploded due to economic despair. Inflation hit 9.82% in Q2 2024, wages stagnated, and youth unemployment exceeded 40%. The government’s heavy-handed response — including internet blackouts and mass arrests — turned students into a nationwide movement. By August, even shopkeepers, farmers, and retired soldiers joined. The storming of Bangabhaban was the symbolic end of Hasina’s rule.

What role did India play in this situation?

India granted Hasina asylum after Bangladesh’s extradition request was denied in October 2024. While New Delhi hasn’t confirmed her location, sources indicate she’s under state protection. India’s decision reflects its cautious balancing act: avoiding direct interference while preventing a refugee crisis. It also signals that India won’t extradite political figures facing capital punishment, a long-standing policy.

Is this verdict legally sound or politically motivated?

Evidence of lethal orders from Hasina’s administration is documented, but the trial’s speed and lack of defense participation raise serious concerns. The UN will assess whether due process was followed. Many legal experts say the charges are substantiated, but the process lacks credibility. It’s a rare case where justice may be deserved — but not delivered fairly.

What happens to the Awami League now?

The party is in disarray. With Hasina gone, its leadership vacuum is critical. Senior figures are either in hiding, arrested, or distancing themselves. The interim government has frozen its assets and banned its political activities. Without a unifying figure, the party risks fragmentation — possibly splitting into regional factions or fading into irrelevance. Its 2.1 million members are now without direction.

Will this lead to more violence in Bangladesh?

Possibly. While the interim government has deployed troops to major cities, many families of the 1,400 dead are demanding more accountability — not just for Hasina, but for the RAB officers who fired. If no one else is prosecuted, protests could reignite. The government’s credibility hinges on whether it delivers justice beyond symbolic punishment. So far, only Hasina has been charged.