'Rigged tribunal': Sheikh Hasina's first reaction after being sentenced to death for 'crimes against humanity'

In a detailed written statement, released minutes after the verdict, Hasina accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration of orchestrating a politically motivated prosecution designed to destroy her and dismantle the Awami League, her party that dominated national politics for over a decade.

She reiterated that the charges—connected to the deadly student uprising of July–August 2024—were fabricated and that the judicial process lacked even the minimum standards of due process.

According to Hasina, the verdict was “pre-decided,” claiming that “no credible or professional jurist anywhere in the world would endorse the Bangladesh ICT.”

Hasina accuses interim govt of political persecution

Hasina levelled sharp criticism at the interim government headed by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, alleging that extremist factions within the administration are driven by a “brazen and murderous intent” to eliminate her from national politics.

She claimed the ruling was engineered to divert attention from what she described as the interim government’s failures.

She argued that under Yunus’s leadership, Bangladesh has plunged into “chaotic, violent and socially regressive” governance, pointing to attacks on minorities, widespread repression of dissent, and a collapse in essential public services.

Claims of denial of fair trial

A central theme of Hasina’s rebuttal is her assertion that she was denied a fair trial.

She said she was not permitted to appoint her own defence lawyers or present evidence in her favour.

She challenged the government to move the case to an international court.

“I am prepared to face my accusers in a genuine tribunal where evidence is examined fairly,” she stated, urging the matter be taken to the International Criminal Court.

Rebuttal of allegations on 2024 crackdown

On allegations of ordering lethal force during the 2024 student protests, Hasina argued that security operations were conducted “in good faith” amid escalating unrest, insisting that operational decisions were made by field commanders and not dictated by her office.

She accused prosecutors of using “fragmentary” and “contextless” material while ignoring evidence of provocateurs and armed agitators involved in the unrest.

She also disputed the widely reported casualty figures from the July Uprising, claiming the interim government shut down an independent judicial inquiry she had initiated to establish an accurate account of events.

Framing verdict as part of a 'larger political battle'

Hasina contrasted her 15-year tenure—marked, in her view, by economic expansion and advances in human rights—with what she described as a campaign of vengeance carried out by the interim regime’s “cronies.”

She framed the tribunal’s decision as part of a systematic effort to erase her political legacy and weaken her party.

Her statement marks the strongest pushback yet since the tribunal handed down its verdict, intensifying the political confrontation surrounding Bangladesh’s turbulent transition and raising international questions about the integrity of the judicial process.

Death sentence for 'crimes against humanity'

Earlier, Bangladesh’s ICT sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death, ruling that she committed "crimes against humanity".

The verdict came after months of proceedings that concluded Hasina ordered a violent crackdown on a student-led uprising last year — unrest that ultimately brought down her Awami League government.

The three-judge bench, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, also convicted two of Hasina’s closest associates: former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun.

According to the tribunal, all three acted together to carry out widespread attacks intended to kill protesters across the country.

Hasina and Kamal, both declared fugitives, were tried in absentia. Mamun appeared before the court initially but later became an approver.