Bangladesh Plunges Into Turmoil After Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death in Absentia

 

By Joylene Lopokoit 

Bangladesh has entered a new phase of political upheaval after a special tribunal delivered a death sentence against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of crimes against humanity tied to a violent crackdown on student-led protests. The ruling, issued in her absence, marks one of the most consequential and controversial moments in the nation’s recent history.

Hasina, who fled to India earlier this year following the collapse of her long-standing administration, was found guilty for a security operation that reportedly left hundreds of young protesters dead during months of mass anti-government demonstrations. The tribunal ruled that the former leader bore command responsibility for the deadly campaign, which critics long argued was part of her effort to cling to power.

The verdict follows a separate decision handed down days earlier, in which Hasina was sentenced to 21 years in prison for three corruption cases linked to the Purbachal New Town land allocation scheme. Prosecutors alleged she manipulated land deals for political patronage and personal gain — accusations her lawyers called “vindictive, baseless, and politically motivated.”

Political Crisis Deepens

The judgments come as Dhaka grapples with a volatile political climate. Months of mounting unrest and pressure from protest movements forced Hasina’s administration from power, leaving the country struggling to stabilize under an interim government tasked with restoring law and order.

Public anger has intensified following government confirmation that authorities seized 10 kilograms of gold from bank lockers allegedly linked to Hasina. The discovery has reignited resentment over corruption, inequality, and the political culture of impunity that many citizens blame for Bangladesh’s repeated governance crises.

Extradition Battle With India

Bangladesh’s government has formally requested Hasina’s extradition from India, where she remains under tight security. New Delhi, acknowledging receipt of the request, said it is “examining the matter internally,” a cautious diplomatic stance given its long-standing alliance with Hasina and the Awami League.

Analysts say the extradition battle could test regional ties and place India in a delicate geopolitical position as it balances domestic legal processes with strategic interests in South Asia.

Global Reaction and Uncertain Future

International observers expressed shock at the severity of the death sentence, noting that Hasina — once one of South Asia’s most influential leaders — now faces possible execution. Human rights groups have called for transparency and due process, while foreign governments have urged Dhaka to ensure judicial independence amid concerns of political reprisals.

Hasina’s dramatic downfall has drastically reshaped Bangladesh’s political landscape. With investigations ongoing, diplomatic tensions rising, and the country still reeling from months of unrest, the future remains unpredictable.

For now, the former prime minister remains in exile, Bangladesh’s interim administration continues tightening its legal case against her, and the world watches closely as the nation navigates a historic moment of reckoning — and uncertainty.