The former prime leader of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was found guilty of "crimes against humanity" during the 2024 student rebellion and given the death penalty on Monday. The families of those killed by police violence are happy and relieved by the verdict, but Hasina is still living in exile in India.
Sheikh Hasina and former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal were both sentenced to death. Because he cooperated with the investigation and entered a guilty plea in July, former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a reduced sentence of five years in prison.

Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death.
The decision
Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder read the verdict, which stated that Hasina was "found guilty on three counts," including inciting violence, giving the order to kill, and doing nothing to stop the atrocities.
The former prime minister was initially given a life sentence by the court, but once the other accusations were added, the tribunal declared that the Awami League chairman will get the death penalty.
Judge Mozumder declared, "We have decided to inflict only one sentence—that is, sentence of death."
Sheikh Hasina and her two assistants were accused of five offenses, including:

coordinating the mass murder of demonstrators in Dhaka
the execution of student activist Abu Sayed, the deployment of drones and helicopters to fire on civilian populations, the burning of bodies in Ashulia to erase evidence, and the planned murder of protesters in Chankharpul.
The answers
Sheikh Hasina said on Monday that the ruling against her was "rigged" and "politically motivated" by a "kangaroo court," continuing to refute the accusations against her. The Yunus-led temporary administration, meanwhile, has applauded the decision to remove the prime minister.
"The clarity with which Bangladeshi courts have spoken has resonated throughout the country and beyond." According to a statement from Bangladesh's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, "The conviction and sentencing affirm a fundamental principle: no one, regardless of power is above the law."Bangladesh asked India to extradite Sheikh Hasina and former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal after she was sentenced. Following the August rebellion, both of them escaped Dhaka and were tried in absentia.
Bangladesh said that New Delhi was required to repatriate both leaders, under the extradition pact.
In response, India stated that it has taken note of the decision. The Ministry of External Affairs statement went on, "As a close neighbor, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability in that country."
In response to the verdict, the UN said that although it was "an important moment for victims," it "regretted" former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's death sentence.

"We ... regret the imposition of the death penalty, which we oppose in all circumstances." The spokesperson continued.
What will Sheikh Hasina do next?
How New Delhi proceeds with the extradition request will now determine Sheikh Hasina's future.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry demanded that India extradite Hasina and the former interior minister after the verdict.
"Granting asylum to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity would be a grave unfriendly act and a contempt of justice for any other country," the statement continued.
The International Crimes Tribunal will seize Hasina's assets and turn them over to the government as the world waits for her extradition.If Hasina is detained or willingly returns to Bangladesh within the following 30 days, the decision against the former prime minister may also be appealed. The Bangladeshi leader may be classified as a fugitive if she decides to disregard the summons.
The government may then seize Hasina's belongings and revoke her passport if the court declares her a fugitive. Additionally, Dhaka has moved to issue an Interpol red notice and intensified its extradition requests.