Bangladesh tribunal convicts Sheikh Hasina as protests flare across Dhaka

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister, has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka and handed a six-month jail sentence for contempt of court. The verdict — delivered in her absence — has sparked protests across the country, with critics warning of rising political tension.

The judgment was carried out by ICT-1, a three-member tribunal under Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, which found Hasina guilty of contempt for allegedly intimidating witnesses. The tribunal’s order stems from a leaked audio clip in which she is purported to say, “There are 227 cases against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people.” According to court records, forensic analysis confirmed the authenticity of the audio.

Hasina, who fled to India in August 2024 following a nationwide uprising, did not attend the trial. The sentence will take effect only if or when she is arrested or submits herself to the tribunal.

Wider charges, political backdrop

The verdict comes as part of a broader case: Hasina faces multiple charges of crimes against humanity for her alleged role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests in July and August 2024. Prosecutors accuse her of ordering systematic attacks on protestors, resulting in large-scale loss of life.

Critics of the tribunal say the proceedings are politically motivated, alleging that the interim government — led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus — is using the ICT to punish Hasina and silence opposition. Hasina herself has dismissed the trial as illegitimate, calling it a “kangaroo court” and accusing the authorities of fabricating evidence.

Reactions

As the ICT read out its verdict, protests erupted in Dhaka and other cities. Authorities are reportedly trying to contain unrest, with concerns growing about unrest and possible violence. Many supporters of Hasina view the judgment as revenge politics, while government backers claim it is part of a necessary reckoning for alleged human rights abuses.

Human rights observers and neighbouring governments are closely watching the case. Hasina’s trial has drawn sharp criticism, particularly over the use of a tribunal she once established during her own political tenure. Meanwhile, her exile in India adds a complex diplomatic dimension to any enforcement of the sentence.

This is not the only legal challenge she faces: in addition to the contempt case, she is being tried in absentia for crimes against humanity before the same tribunal. The ICT has already indicted her and others for allegedly orchestrating mass violence during last year’s protests.

The tribunal has announced that segments of the verdict will be broadcast live on Bangladesh’s state TV (BTV) and streamed via its Facebook page. Analysts say the conviction and Hasina’s absence could further polarise Bangladeshi politics, especially as the country prepares for elections.

If the sentence is enforced, Hasina would have to either return to Bangladesh or face a long legal and diplomatic standoff. Given her current residence in India and her strong political network, enforcing the verdict may prove difficult.

For now, the tribunal’s decision marks a dramatic moment in Bangladesh’s fraught transition — a former long-time leader, now convicted and exiled, and the country grappling with deep divisions over justice, power, and reconciliation.