The International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising. Of the five charges brought against her, she received the death penalty in two and life imprisonment in another.

The date of the verdict, Monday (17 November), coincided with Sheikh Hasina’s wedding anniversary. She married nuclear scientist Dr. M. A. Wazed Ali on this day in 1967 while she was an undergraduate at Dhaka University. Dr. Wazed Ali passed away on 9 May 2009.

The verdict was delivered by a three-member bench of Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumder, with Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmud and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury as the other panel members.

During the announcement, the courtroom was crowded with lawyers and several family members of victims killed during the July–August uprising.

The tribunal reviewed videos and documentary evidence showing how lethal weapons were used against protesters in areas including Jatrabari, Rampura, Badda, Savar, Ashulia, and Rangpur. Excerpts from reports by international human rights organizations were also presented. Around 1:15 pm, telephone conversations of Sheikh Hasina during the uprising were played, including a call with then Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu.

Alongside Sheikh Hasina, the other two accused in the case are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan remain fugitives and are currently in India.

One charge resulted in a death sentence for Asaduzzaman Khan, while Al-Mamun, as an approver (state witness), received five years in prison.

The tribunal had originally scheduled 17 November for the verdict following its announcement on 13 November.