The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in a case involving crimes against humanity, including murders committed during the July uprising.

In the same verdict, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has also been sentenced to death, while former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun has been sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar. The other two members were Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury.

The judges read out the verdict at International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Monday (November 17).

The tribunal awarded Sheikh Hasina the death penalty for the killings in Ashulia and Chankharpul, and life imprisonment on another charge.

A total of five charges were brought against the three accused, including Sheikh Hasina. The charges are:

- Delivering provocative speeches
- Ordering the elimination of protesters using lethal weapons
- The killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, by shooting
- The shooting and killing of six protesters in Dhaka’s Chankharpul area
- Burning six people to death in Ashulia

The main accused in the case is the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The other two accused are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Of the three, Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan are fugitives and currently staying in India.

Reaction from state-appointed defense lawyer
Amir Hossain, the state-appointed lawyer for Sheikh Hasina, expressed that he is “feeling pain” over the death sentence handed down to the ousted prime minister for crimes against humanity committed while trying to suppress the July mass uprising.

Speaking to journalists after the verdict, he said: “I am feeling pain. I am feeling pain for this very reason — my client has been sentenced. The highest punishment has been given. Won’t that cause me pain? It’s natural. I am feeling pain. That is my statement.”

Though he repeatedly said he was “feeling pain,” the lawyer was seen smiling during the interaction.

Attorney General’s reaction
Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman said that the martyrs of the July Revolution have received justice, the state has received justice, and the prosecution has received justice through this verdict in which ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were sentenced to death for crimes against humanity related to the mass killings in July–August 2024.

Speaking immediately after the verdict at the International Crimes Tribunal premises on Monday (November 17), he said: “The martyrs have received justice. The country has received justice. The prosecution has received justice. The benchmark of that justice is that the two main accused in this case have been given the highest punishment — the death penalty.”

He added that one accused who turned state witness (approver) was given 5 years’ imprisonment after overall consideration. Calling the verdict “historic,” the Attorney General said it fulfills the duty owed to the martyrs, the nation, the people, democracy, the constitution, the rule of law, and future generations.

He further stated that the five charges were consolidated into three counts for sentencing. As per legal provisions, the sentence will take effect from the date of arrest. The state will do everything legally required. The court has also directed compensation to be provided to the families of the martyrs and the injured.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed’s reaction
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed believes that justice has been served through the verdict against Sheikh Hasina and the other two accused. He said this trial and verdict will set an example for the future.

Speaking immediately after the verdict on Monday, Salahuddin Ahmed said at around 3 PM in front of the administrative building of Dhaka University: “Justice has been established in the International Crimes Tribunal. However, compared to the scale of the crimes committed by the accused, this punishment is actually quite lenient. But there is no higher punishment under the law.”

Sheikh Hasina’s reaction
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death in the crimes against humanity case, has rejected all allegations against her.

According to a report by Indian media outlet NDTV, Sheikh Hasina issued a statement after the verdict on Monday denying the charges and claiming that neither she nor her party was given a “fair opportunity” to defend themselves.