WEB DESK: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity related to her government’s violent crackdown on student-led protests last year.
The 78-year-old politician, currently a fugitive, was tried in absentia and accused of being the “mastermind and principal architect” behind the suppression of the mass demonstrations, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has also received a death sentence for his role in the deadly actions taken against protesters. Both Hasina and Khan fled to India following the unrest.
In addition, former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was sentenced to five years in prison after cooperating with authorities as a state witness and admitting guilt.
Bangladesh has called on India to “immediately hand over” Hasina and Khan, though New Delhi has not yet issued a formal response.
