ICT sentences Sheikh Hasina Wajid to death for crimes against humanity

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka has handed the death penalty to Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity.

According to the tribunal, Hasina Wajid and two senior government officials were convicted of operating a “criminal enterprise” and orchestrating a violent crackdown on student-led protests against the Awami League government in July last year.

The verdict states that the three were responsible for systematic attacks and severe rights violations during the unrest, which saw security forces kill at least 1,400 people and injure thousands as authorities responded with an iron-fisted approach.

Following the protests, Sheikh Hasina fled to India, where she remains in self-exile. Indian officials have said they are providing her with security equivalent to that of a head of state.

Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, had earlier warned that if his mother received the de@th penalty, he would attempt to block the February 2026 elections in Dhaka and demand the lifting of the ban on the Awami League.