Sheikh Hasina Verdict Live: Awami League vows continued struggle, says 'crores ready for war again'

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces a verdict from the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on November 17, 2025, where prosecutors have sought the death sentence for her alleged role in crimes against humanity, including a crackdown on student protesters and enforced disappearances.

The crucial reason she cannot appeal any sentence, including the death penalty, is that she is currently a fugitive residing in India, defying the tribunal’s orders to face trial. Under Bangladesh law, a convict must be arrested or surrender to authorities to qualify for filing an appeal with the Supreme Court’s appellate division, and this must be lodged within 30 days of the verdict. Since Hasina is “on the run,” she is ineligible to exercise her right to appeal.

Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was sentenced to death, while ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was spared the noose.

Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year prison sentence.

Ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) over the violence and killings during the July–August 2024 agitation.
Hasina and two others — former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun — were tried for crimes against humanity.

Sheikh Hasina was found guilty on three counts: preventing justice, ordering killings, and failing to take measures to stop punitive killings.

The tribunal has spared Bangladesh’s former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun from the death penalty. Al-Mamun, who turned state witness after Hasina’s ouster, provided testimony under tight security that became a crucial pillar of the proceedings leading to the verdict.

Mamun is the first accused to become a state witness since the tribunal was established in 2010, reported The Daily Star.

The chief judge of the ICT has declared Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity. He said the accused former Prime Minister exercised superior authority over the former Home Minister and the police chief, and noted that she failed to take any punitive action against those responsible for violence against the protesters.

Court finds ex-PM guilty of crimes against humanity

A Bangladesh court on Monday convicted ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of crimes against humanity, a ruling that could result in the death penalty. The 78-year-old former leader, who has been living in exile in India since her removal from power in August 2024, did not comply with court directives to appear for the trial, according to news agency AFP.

Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder told a packed Dhaka courtroom that “all the… elements constituting crimes against humanity have been fulfilled.” The proceedings were aired live on national television as the country closely watched the historic verdict.

Dhaka has been placed under an extraordinary security blanket as the verdict is being delivered. On Sunday evening, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali issued a “shoot-at-sight” order targeting anyone involved in arson, cocktail explosions, or attempts to harm police or civilians, The Dhaka Tribune reported.

“I have asked to protect life and property. Those who set fire to cars and policemen with cocktails, and those who throw cocktails at vehicles, have been legally ordered to be shot,” he told Dhaka Tribune.

A heavy security presence — including police, army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh, the Rapid Action Battalion, the Armed Police Battalion, and intelligence agencies — has created a multilayered cordon around the ICT and High Court areas. Patrols have been stepped up, with rooftop surveillance, checkpoints, and movement restrictions imposed across key neighbourhoods. Officials say all units are on full readiness for any situation, with the tribunal proceedings being aired live on national and private television channels.

A spokesperson for the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has stated that the trial against Sheikh Hasina is not politically motivated.

The spokesperson added that the court “functioned transparently, allowing observers and publishing regular documentation”.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was brought to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday, just ahead of the verdict announcement in the crimes against humanity case. Al-Mamun is one of the accused in the case, which also names ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but he is currently in custody and has reportedly turned state witness.  

The court outlined five key charges against the ousted prime minister, including:

• Planning and directing large-scale killings of protesters in Dhaka
• Authorising helicopters and drones to open fire on civilian gatherings
• The alleged murder of student leader Abu Sayed
• Ordering bodies to be burned in Ashulia to wipe out evidence
• Overseeing coordinated attacks that killed demonstrators in Chankharpul

During Monday’s pronouncement, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal outlined multiple findings against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is being tried in absentia.

The court cited several controversial remarks and directives attributed to Hasina, including a 14 July press conference where she allegedly made derogatory comments about the descendants of freedom fighters and Razakars. These statements were formally recorded in the judgment.

The tribunal also referred to telephonic conversations in which Hasina purportedly instructed authorities to “hang” protesters. According to the court, she allegedly ordered harsh action during last year’s student-led unrest, including the use of helicopters, drones and lethal weapons against demonstrators. The pronouncement further notes that she directed security agencies to torture, arrest and even kill armed civilian protesters.

The court said Hasina also communicated similar instructions to the Dhaka South mayor on 18 July, directing law enforcement to crack down on the agitation.

According to the tribunal, Hasina—along with the then home minister and police chief—has been found responsible for crimes against humanity. The court read out her alleged involvement case by case, noting that multiple charges were built on statements and evidence gathered during the investigation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) chief, Sheikh Mohammad Sazzat Ali, has confirmed issuing a firm directive authorizing his officers to use firearms against anyone attempting acts of violence during potential demonstrations in the city. Specifically, the order targets individuals who try to set vehicles on fire or hurl crude bombs.

“Yes, I have given such directives. If anyone sets a bus on fire or throws a cocktail [crude bomb] and attacks police, will they sit idle?,” Ali was quoted by The Daily Star newspaper as saying.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed state officials to gather detailed information regarding the bus accident in Saudi Arabia, given that several victims were reportedly residents of the city.

Chief Minister Reddy specifically directed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and DGP Shivadhar Reddy to immediately establish contact with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to coordinate the state’s response.

A tragic bus accident occurred in Saudi Arabia when a bus transporting Indian Umrah pilgrims from Makkah to Madinah collided with a diesel tanker. The impact resulted in a massive fire, with at least 42 Indian nationals feared dead.

Following the devastating bus accident near Madinah involving Indian Umrah pilgrims, the Consulate General of India in Jeddah has issued a fresh statement and has established a 24-hour control room. This action was taken to provide assistance and information, with helpline numbers now issued for those affected by the tragedy.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar publicly stated his deep dismay regarding the tragic bus accident in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, which involved numerous Indian nationals. He assured that the Indian diplomatic missions—the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah—are offering their “fullest support” to the affected Indian citizens and their families. The Minister also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and offered prayers for the rapid recovery of those who were injured in the accident.

The son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed, has issued a stark warning that a special tribunal is likely to sentence his mother to death. Hasina is currently facing charges of crimes against humanity for her administration’s deadly crackdown on protestors in 2024. Wazed, however, stressed that his mother remains secure in her exile in India.

In comments made to Reuters on Sunday, just before a Dhaka court was scheduled to deliver a televised verdict, Wazed also issued a political threat: he stated that Hasina’s supporters will block next year’s election unless the current ban on her political party is immediately lifted.