The chief prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Thursday sought the death penalty for deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of being the “mastermind and principal architect” behind the deadly crackdown on last year’s anti-government protests that left more than 1,400 people dead.

Hasina, 78, was ousted from power in August 2024 following a massive student-led uprising that swept across Bangladesh.

According to a UN Human Rights report, security forces allegedly opened fire on demonstrators between July 15 and August 15, 2024, resulting in one of the deadliest political crackdowns in the nation’s history.

Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam, in his submission before the tribunal, said Hasina bore direct command responsibility for ordering the violence.

“Sheikh Hasina is the mastermind of all the crimes. She is an unrepentant, heartless criminal who deserves the maximum punishment. No mercy should be shown to her,” Tajul told the court.

“For the murder of 1,400 people, she ought to have been hanged 1,400 times. But since that is not possible, it is appropriate to impose the death penalty so that no leader in future dares to kill their own citizens,” he added.

Former HM also faces capital punishment demand

The prosecution also sought capital punishment for former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, describing him as one of the “Gang of Four” who allegedly directed the violent crackdown. Tajul urged the tribunal to deny any plea for leniency and to compensate victims’ families from the confiscated assets of those found guilty.

He informed the court that Hasina and Kamal were absconding, citing intelligence inputs that both were currently residing in India.

ICT charges and developments

Earlier, the ICT had framed five charges of crimes against humanity and mass killings against Hasina, Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, based on an investigation completed in May.
According to court documents, Al-Mamun has pleaded guilty and turned approver, providing key testimony to the prosecution.

Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, amid mounting unrest and the collapse of her government. The interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has formally requested her extradition from India, but New Delhi has yet to respond.

Tribunal’s expanded mandate

The International Crimes Tribunal, originally formed to prosecute war crimes from the 1971 Liberation War, was recently amended by the Yunus-led government to allow for the trial of leaders from the previous regime.

Since then, multiple senior Awami League figures — including former ministers, party leaders, and top bureaucrats — have been detained or gone into hiding.

Political reaction

Supporters of the Awami League have dismissed the charges as politically motivated, alleging that the tribunal is being used to dismantle the party and silence dissent.

The case marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political transition, with the tribunal’s verdict expected to have far-reaching implications for the country’s governance and justice system.

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