A court in Dhaka on Monday sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death, finding her guilty of crimes against humanity during last year's mass demonstrations against her government.
The International Crimes Tribunal delivered the verdict under heavy security and in Hasina’s absence, as she remains in India.
The tribunal said Hasina committed crimes against humanity and described her as the “superior commander of all the atrocities.”
“The crimes happened in her (Sheikh Hasina’s) cool knowledge,” the three-member panel led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder said while reading from its 453-page judgment.
It said “all the conditions of being a case of crimes against humanity were proved” against her.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who is also outside Bangladesh, was likewise sentenced to death.
Hasina and her aides are allowed to appeal before the apex court in person within 30 days.
Hasina fled to India on Aug. 5 last year during a mass uprising that resulted in more than 1,400 deaths.
The interim government later filed five charges, including crimes against humanity, against Hasina and several associates.
The student-led revolt toppled Hasina’s Awami League government after more than 15 years in power.
The tribunal ordered the confiscation of all property owned by Hasina and Kamal.
Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison sentence after he “became an approver in the case by admitting his involvement.”
Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the proceedings were transparent and open for international scrutiny.
He added that victims of last year’s uprising will be compensated using the confiscated property of Hasina and Kamal.
On enforcing the verdict while Hasina remains in India, Islam said the government “can utilize the extradition treaty with India and execute the punishment or can go to Interpol to bring Hasina to Bangladesh.”
Mir Snigdho, twin brother of Mir Mugdho, a coordinator of the July uprising killed during the protests, attended the hearing.
He said victims’ families “will only be pleased after Hasina is brought home from India and the verdict is executed.”