BREAKING: Bangladesh court convicts former PM Sheikh Hasina, gives her the death sentence for crimes against humanity.

*Bangladesh Court Convicts Former PM Sheikh Hasina, Sentences Her to Death for Crimes Against Humanity*

In a landmark verdict, a Bangladesh court convicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka delivered the verdict, concluding a months-long trial that found Hasina guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in July and August 2024 ¹ ².

*The Verdict and Its Implications*

The three-member ICT bench, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, found Hasina guilty on three counts, including incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. The court also ordered the confiscation of Hasina's properties. Her former Home Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, was also sentenced to death, while former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison term for his role in the crackdown ³ ¹.

*Reactions to the Verdict*

Hasina, currently in exile in India, denounced the verdict as "biased and politically motivated." She claimed that she was not given a fair chance to defend herself in court. The Awami League party also criticized the verdict, warning of potential unrest. In contrast, the Bangladeshi government hailed the verdict as a "historic" moment, emphasizing that it would ensure accountability for those responsible for violence ¹ ⁴ ⁵.

*The Trial and Evidence*

The trial was based on extensive documentation, including 8,747 pages of evidence, 2,018 pages of references, and 405 pages of seized materials. The prosecution presented video evidence of targeted killings and testimony from 54 witnesses. The court found that Hasina's government had committed serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and excessive use of force against protesters ⁶ ¹.

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*The Protests and Crackdown*

The 2024 student-led protests were sparked by growing discontent with Hasina's government, which had been in power for over 15 years. The protests turned violent when security forces cracked down on demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of over 1,400 people, according to UN estimates. Hasina's government was accused of using excessive force, including deploying drones and helicopters to target protesters ⁷ ².

*What's Next?*

The verdict can be appealed in the Supreme Court, and the Bangladeshi government has asked India to extradite Hasina to face justice. However, the process is likely to be complex, and the outcome uncertain. As the situation unfolds, Bangladesh is bracing for potential unrest, with security forces on high alert ⁵.