Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was on Monday given a death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka after the court found her guilty of “crimes against humanity” linked to last year’s student-led protests that eventually brought down her Awami League government in the South Asian country.

The ruling became one of the most dramatic legal moves against a former Bangladeshi leader in many years and came just months before the national elections expected in early February.

Hasina, 78, did not follow court orders to return from India for the trial, which examined whether she had ordered a deadly crackdown on the student-led uprising that pushed her out of office.

Here are the main points from the verdict.

Hasina received a life sentence for crimes against humanity and a separate death sentence for her alleged role in the killing of several people during the unrest.

According to the charge document, the tribunal stated, “…Sheikh Hasina has committed crimes against humanity. Six protesters at Chankharpul were killed using lethal weapons on August 5. By issuing orders and through the inaction of Sheikh Hasina, the then home minister, and the IG of police, the students were killed. These killings happened under the orders and full knowledge of PM Sheikh Hasina. By such acts, they committed crimes against humanity."

The court held her responsible for giving direct orders and for failing to stop the killings during the student protests.

The International Crimes Tribunal also sentenced former Bangladesh home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death.

Former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun received a five-year jail term.

According to The Daily Star, the court also ordered the state to take over the properties of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman.

The three-member International Crimes Tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, began reading parts of the 453-page judgment at around 12.30 pm, amid tight security and a crowded courtroom.

Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from taking part in the upcoming elections, and there are fears that Monday’s verdict could spark new unrest as the polls draw closer.

The verdict can be appealed in the Supreme Court.

Bangladesh’s fugitive former prime minister Hasina rejected the verdict that found her guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death, calling it “biased and politically motivated.”

Hasina, 78, stayed in India despite court orders to return and face trial over charges that she ordered a violent action against a student-led uprising that eventually forced her from power. She was found guilty and given the death sentence earlier in the day.

"The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate," Hasina said in a statement issued. They are biased and politically motivated.

The verdict came after months of hearings during which Hasina, now removed from office and living in exile, was held responsible for ordering a violent crackdown on the student movement.

Before the judgment by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, Hasina had said that the court was under the influence of her political rivals who wanted to damage the Awami League’s reputation and hide their own failures.

“India is our country’s most important ally and would understandably prefer to deal with a regime in Dhaka that was legitimised by a popular vote. So, I ask our friends in India to continue their call for Yunus (chief adviser) and his cronies to respect democratic norms and not to disenfranchise millions of Bangladeshis,” Hasina told TOI in a written response last week.

Hasina, the country’s longest-serving leader, faced several charges after massive protests forced her to resign in August 2024.

A UN rights office report estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 during the “July Uprising” after her government ordered a large security action.

Hasina and Kamal were later declared fugitives and tried in their absence. Mamun first attended court but later became an approver.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam described Hasina as the “mastermind and principal architect” behind the attacks on protesters, while her supporters said the case was driven by political motives.

Hasina fled the country on the day she stepped down and has since been living in India. Kamal is also believed to be in India. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has asked India to send Hasina back, but there has been no response yet.

Authorities tightened security across Bangladesh before the verdict. On Sunday, Dhaka Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali issued shoot at sight orders for anyone involved in arson, explosions, or attacks on police or civilians.

A day before the verdict, Dhaka saw large demonstrations in support of Hasina. The situation became tense after several crude bombs exploded in different parts of the capital, raising public fear. No injuries were reported, but security was increased overnight as more incidents took place in several areas.