Former Prime Minister sentenced to death in absentia in Bangladesh

The former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia in Bangladesh. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

This sentence was issued in absentia because Hasina left the country in August 2024 and has been living in India. The court found her guilty of ordering the suppression of a student uprising.

Many people died during this uprising. After the verdict was announced, applause was heard in the courtroom.

The families of the deceased supported the court's decision. Outside, some people prayed upon hearing the news.

Sheikh Hasina called the court ruling "fake" and announced that she would not recognize it. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus described the sentence as "historic" and urged citizens to maintain peace.

The Bangladesh government demanded the extradition of Hasina and former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India. Kamal was also sentenced to death.

India stated that it is reviewing the matter and that discussions are ongoing but did not disclose details. On Monday, clashes occurred between protesters and police in the capital Dhaka.

The protesters demanded the complete demolition of a house belonging to Hasina's father, which had previously been partially destroyed. Security measures were increased in the capital, with police and military deployed around government buildings and courts.

This decision was issued by the International Criminal Tribunal and announced ahead of the elections scheduled for February. Hasina's son warned that if the Awami League party is deprived of the right to participate in the elections, violence could occur in the country.

According to UN data, during the protests in July and August of last year, 1,400 people died and thousands were injured. The majority of those killed died as a result of gunfire by security forces.