A court in Bangladesh on Tuesday sentenced seven senior leaders of the Awami League party, including two former ministers, to death in absentia. These individuals were convicted of crimes against humanity, including murder, for their role in attempting to suppress the 2024 uprising.
Details of the Trial and Charges
The seven defendants, members of the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina, were convicted of inciting and encouraging murders. Among them are Obaidul Quader, the former general secretary of the party, and Mohammad Ali Arifat, a former minister. The ruling was issued by a three-member court headed by Judge Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
Death Toll and Political Consequences
According to reports from the United Nations, around 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024 due to the Hasina government's efforts to suppress the student uprising. Hasina's regime, which had ruled the country harshly for 15 years, came to an end in August 2024 when she fled by helicopter from her palace to India and is now in hiding. She was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025.
The government-appointed defense attorney, M Hasan Imam, stated that the seven defendants were not directly involved in the murders and that the court could have imposed a lesser punishment than death. He emphasized, "These individuals have been convicted due to the activities and support of other activists."
Furthermore, the court ordered that half of the assets of five of the defendants be distributed as compensation to the families of those killed or injured in the uprising. With this ruling, the total number of convictions in the courts related to the 2024 protests in Bangladesh reached 68, of which 22 have been sentenced to death, although only four are currently in custody.
Role of the New Government and Reactions
The new government led by Tariq Rahman, which achieved a decisive victory in the February elections, has requested the extradition of Hasina. However, the 78-year-old Hasina has announced that she will return to Bangladesh in December, despite the death sentence imposed on her.
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