Bangladesh Seeks Extradition of Sheikh Hasina; Former PM Denounces Verdict as Politically Motivated

Dhaka / New Delhi: The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh has sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death, even as she remains in India after seeking political asylum.

The tribunal found Hasina guilty of ordering mass killings by police and army personnel, engaging in conspiracy, and leading severe human-rights violations while suppressing last year’s anti-government uprising. The verdict stated that she had committed “crimes against humanity”. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former Inspector General Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were also convicted in the same case.

The sentencing comes at a politically sensitive moment, with Bangladesh set to hold parliamentary elections in February. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, has already been barred from contesting. Heavy security has been deployed across the country, and several incidents of violence were reported after the verdict. The Awami League has announced nationwide protests, calling the judgement an “illegal verdict”.

Sheikh Hasina, who resigned as prime minister on August 5 last year following massive youth-led protests, has strongly rejected the charges. The protests, triggered by anger over job quotas and corruption, lasted from July 15 to August 15 and left more than 1,400 people dead, according to UN estimates. After her resignation, Hasina sought political asylum in India, while an interim government was formed. Observers say that fundamentalist forces have gained ground in the power vacuum that followed.

Responding to the verdict from New Delhi, Hasina said it was biased, fabricated, and politically motivated. She accused the interim government of running a “fake tribunal” and targeting Awami League members to weaken the party. She alleged that interim leader Muhammad Yunus acted unconstitutionally and that his forces destroyed the homes and businesses of Awami League supporters. Hasina also said she had repeatedly offered to face trial in an impartial international forum, including the International Criminal Court in The Hague, but claimed the interim government rejected the proposal for political reasons.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh interim government has formally demanded Hasina’s extradition, along with that of former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that with both leaders now sentenced to death, India must hand them over. The interim government has made multiple such requests, but India has not yet responded.