Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s banned party, the Awami League, has called for a nationwide shutdown on Tuesday to protest the death sentence handed down to her. The Awami League has completely rejected the decision of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka. The party has demanded the immediate resignation of interim government chief Mohammad Yunus and ministers. Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanok released a video on the party’s Facebook page, calling the decision biased and a political vendetta.
Awami League leader on ICT verdict
Raising question on the court’s procedures, Nanok alleged that trial began on August 14, and the verdict was delivered on November 17. The court conducted only 20 days of hearings over a two-month period. He highlighted that only 54 of the 84 witnesses were heard, adding that the Chief Judge was absent for a month, yet the verdict was delivered.
Death sentence for Hasina
Notably, a Bangladesh court on Monday found Hasina guilty of committing “crimes against humanity” during the July-August uprising in 2024. The International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced Hasina to death after finding her guilty on all five charges of crimes against humanity. Hasina, who is currently in exile in India was tried in absentia.
Hasina’s reaction on ICT verdict
Following the announcement of the verdict, Hasina, in a statement, condemned it, calling it a decision made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate. In a statement, shared by the Bangladesh Awami league, she said, “The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate.”
“They are biased and politically motivated. In their distasteful call for the death penalty, they reveal the brazen and murderous intent of extremist figures within the interim government to remove Bangladesh’s last elected prime minister, and to nullify the Awami League as a political force,” Hasina added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that India has taken note of the verdict announced by the “International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh” concerning Hasina and noted that India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh.
