The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh (ICT-BD) today delivered a shock ruling, sentencing the country's deposed Prime Minister, 78-year-old Sheikh Hasina, to death. The verdict relates to charges of crimes against humanity stemming from the deadly crackdown on student protests in 2024.

The Tribunal's ruling comes after a lengthy trial that examined 54 witnesses. Sheikh Hasina was tried in absentia, as she had previously fled the country after being forced from power.

The Crackdown and Human Toll -

The case centers on the fatal crackdown on student protests in Bangladesh in 2024. The UN Human Rights division reports that approximately 1,400 people died as a result of security measures ordered by the Hasina-led government against the demonstrators.

The government had initially imposed tight security to prevent unrest but eventually issued shoot-at-sight orders against violent protesters. Redmi Note 14 5G (Mystique White, 6GB RAM 128GB Storage) | Global Debut MTK Dimensity 7025 Ultra | 2100 nits Segment Brightest 120Hz AMOLED | 50MP Sony LYT 600 OIS+EIS Triple Camera

UN human rights investigators stated that in an attempt to retain power, Hasina and her government allegedly used systematic and fatal force against the protesters, leading to mass killings. This brutal response eventually led to Sheikh Hasina being forced to step down from office, resulting in her subsequent flight from the country.

Along with the former Prime Minister, other high-ranking officials were charged in the case, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Also Read: SBI Backs Fresh Wave of Bank Mergers: Another Consolidation Phase for India’s Banking System!?