By Sports Desk | November 17, 2025 | Dhaka / Exile
Sheikh Hasina’s political journey has ended in dramatic collapse. Once hailed as a stabilizing force in Bangladesh, she is now condemned by a special tribunal, sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity. Her downfall stems from a long period of disappearances, extrajudicial killings, media censorship, and one of the bloodiest crackdowns in recent history.
2009–2011: A Country Slips Into Fear
When Hasina returned to power in 2009, her government began tightening control. Opposition activists disappeared without trace. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a powerful security force, grew notorious for “crossfire” killings—extrajudicial executions cloaked as encounters. These early years set the tone for a campaign of fear.
2010–2015: Courts as Political Weapons
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), originally created to try war crimes from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence, became deeply politicized. Opposition leaders from party rivals like Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were prosecuted aggressively. Prominent figures—including Motiur Rahman Nizami and Mir Quasem Ali—were executed after trials criticized by international observers for bias.
2013: The Shapla Square Operation
Protesters who gathered at Shapla Square faced a brutal crackdown. Security forces stormed the site using overwhelming firepower. The night ended in chaos, with many killed or forcibly removed. The operation became a symbol of Hasina’s readiness to use force to silence dissent.
2014–2018: Elections Without Real Choice
The elections during this period lacked legitimacy. The 2014 vote was boycotted by major opposition parties. In 2018, widespread reports of intimidation, ballot-stuffing, and political arrests surfaced. The space for free expression shrank sharply, with journalists jailed and political opponents pressured or disappeared.
2019–2022: Digital Repression and Surveillance
Hasina’s government used the Digital Security Act (DSA) to clamp down on dissent. Bloggers, students, and journalists were arrested for criticizing the state. Surveillance increased, and protests over corruption or inflation were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and aggressive force.
2023: A Nation Reaches Boiling Point
Mass frustration culminated in large rallies organized by the BNP and student groups. Rather than address grievances, the government responded with arrests and raids. The pressure mounted, and Bangladesh seemed poised for a breaking point.
2024: The Deadliest Crackdown in Decades
A student protest over the quota system spiralled into nationwide unrest. Security forces responded with live ammunition, snipers, drones, and lethal force. According to UN estimates referenced by the tribunal, as many as 1,400 people died. Hasina fled to India as her rule collapsed.
2025: Tribunal Verdict and Death Sentence
The interim government initiated a tribunal to investigate the mass killings and decades of abuse. In November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal found Hasina guilty on multiple counts. The tribunal convicted her on three charges that carried the death penalty, including ordering lethal force using helicopters and drones.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death, while ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received five years in prison for his role in the crackdown.
Response and Reactions
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Hasina’s Response: She rejected the verdict, calling the tribunal “rigged” and politically motivated.
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Legal Appeal: As she was tried in absentia, she cannot appeal unless she returns and surrenders.
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Human Rights Concerns: Amnesty International condemned the death sentence, calling it “inhuman” and urging an independent, fair trial.
Legacy of a Fallen Leader
Sheikh Hasina’s reign began with development promises, but her legacy is now defined by repression, bloodshed, and a system built on fear. Her name once symbolised stability; now, it is synonymous with political violence and a crackdown on dissent.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why was Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death?
She was found guilty of crimes against humanity, including ordering the use of lethal force during the 2024 protests. -
Was she present at the trial?
No. She fled to India and was tried in absentia. -
What was the scale of the crackdown?
According to the tribunal and UN-linked estimates, up to 1,400 people were killed during the uprising. -
Can she appeal the sentence?
Only if she returns, surrenders, and is arrested. -
Is the tribunal considered fair?
Many critics argue it is politically motivated. Human rights groups have raised serious concerns. -
What happens next?
The tribunal ordered compensation for victims and their families.
Conclusion
Sheikh Hasina’s conviction and death sentence represent the dramatic end of a chapter in Bangladesh’s history. The interim government and the tribunal say she must be held accountable for years of suppression and mass killings. Critics warn that her trial reflects political vengeance more than justice. For a nation deeply scarred by violence, the verdict is as much about reckoning as it is about future stability.
