In a forceful public rebuke, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in exile, has vehemently rejected a recently issued death sentence from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, calling the judgment “biased” and “politically motivated.” Her comments arrive amid a crescendo of unrest, deepening institutional fractures, and heated debates over the country’s upcoming elections.
The tribunal, in a sweeping 453-page verdict, found Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity.The Economic Times Security has been ramped up across Dhaka following the decision, as fears of violent reprisals surface among both her loyalists and critics.The Economic Times
A Defiant Response from Exile
From her location in India, Hasina addressed the verdict in scathing terms. She told The Indian Express in an emailed interview that returning to Bangladesh hinges on what she described as “free, fair, and participatory” elections — conditions she insists are not being met under the interim government.The Indian Express Her remarks reflect both defiance and political calculation, signaling that she remains deeply invested in the future of her party, the Awami League, even as its registration has been suspended.Reuters+2Al Jazeera+2
Hasina also leveled sharp criticism at Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate now leading Bangladesh’s interim government. She accused him of enabling extremists and radical institutions under the guise of reform.The Indian Express
Political Tensions Escalate Ahead of 2026 Election
The stakes could not be higher: Bangladesh is poised for national elections in February 2026, but the road is fraught. Hasina has warned of a mass voter boycott, claiming that disenfranchising millions of Awami League supporters risks undermining the legitimacy of the vote.Al Jazeera
Her warnings dovetail with growing international concern. Analysts from think tanks such as Chatham House argue that the tribunal verdict and the interim government’s political maneuvering could mark a transformational moment in South Asia, shaking the established order and altering regional alignments.Chatham House
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera has flagged a deeper risk: if political inclusion is sacrificed for retribution, Bangladesh may simply repeat the undemocratic foundations of Hasina’s past rule.Al Jazeera
Protests, Crackdowns, and a Ban on the Awami League
Hasina’s defiance has added fuel to a fraught public climate. In May 2025, protests erupted after the interim government officially banned the Awami League under new anti-terror legislation.Wikipedia The Election Commission followed by suspending the party’s registration, a move that effectively sidelines Hasina’s political machinery from the next election.Reuters
The crackdown has drawn condemnation. Critics say excluding a major political actor like the Awami League could destabilize Bangladesh’s democratic foundation, especially as political violence continues and civil liberties remain under pressure.www.ndtv.com+2Al Jazeera+2
A Trial in Absentia and a Death Sentence
In a dramatic legal escalation, the International Crimes Tribunal tried Hasina in absentia.Le Monde.fr The charges stem from her alleged involvement in a brutal crackdown during the July–August 2024 student uprising, which reportedly left more than 1,400 people dead.Reddit+2AP News+2
Just days ago, the same court handed down a death sentence, citing her role in orchestrating repression through the misuse of state machinery, drones, helicopters, and armed forces.The Economic Times In response, Dhaka’s security apparatus has tightened, with concerns rising over how the verdict might polarize the country.
The Stakes of Symbolism and Power
This is not just a legal fight — it’s a clash over Bangladesh’s identity. For decades, Hasina has embodied a political dynasty rooted in the legacy of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The recent 2025 Bulldozer March, during which protestors destroyed her father’s former residence turned museum, was widely interpreted as a symbolic breakdown of that legacy.Wikipedia+1
Meanwhile, analysts warn that the verdict, if interpreted as political vendetta rather than justice, could inflame radicalization. Extremist groups might exploit the vacuum left behind by her ouster, especially in a fragile transitional environment.Reddit
What Comes Next
Hasina has vowed not to accept the sentence quietly. She maintains she will return — but only if electoral reforms guarantee meaningful participation.The Indian Express Her inner circle is reportedly working to organize international pressure, leveraging diplomatic ties and media platforms.
Domestically, the situation remains volatile. Unresolved tensions between the interim government and Hasina’s base could escalate, especially if the 2026 election proceeds without her party’s involvement. Civil society leaders caution that the country’s democratic institutions must be rebuilt, not retraumatized.
International observers, meanwhile, will be watching closely. The tribunal’s verdict and the political exclusion of a once-dominant party may reshape how the world sees Bangladesh: not merely as a nation in transition, but as a potential pivot in a shifting geopolitical order.Chatham House
In the words of Sheikh Hasina:
“Millions of people support the Awami League … You cannot disenfranchise millions of
people if you want a political system that works.”Al Jazeera
Her defiance is not just a call to her supporters — it may well define the direction of Bangladesh’s next chapter.
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