Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister and Awami League leader, Sheikh Hasina, has described the verdict of the Dhaka International Crimes Tribunal as “biased and politically motivated.”

From her location in India, Hasina issued a five‑page statement following the ruling, claiming that her death sentence is part of a “strategy to politically neutralize the Awami League.” Her statement has been reported by several international media outlets.

Earlier, she had referred to the entire judicial process as a “mockery” and rejected the charges, asserting that she is willing to face the accusers in a fair trial.

In her statement, Hasina also challenged the interim government to take the case to the International Criminal Court in The Hague if they wish. She expressed pride in her track record regarding human rights and development.

On Monday afternoon, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July–August mass uprising of 2024.

Meanwhile, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who had confessed and served as a state witness against the former Prime Minister and Home Minister, was sentenced to five years in prison. This is the first verdict handed down by the International Crimes Tribunal in a case involving killings and other crimes against humanity during the mass uprising.