Dhaka: A Bangladesh court on Thursday sentenced deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison in three corruption cases involving irregularities in the allocation of land in a government housing project.
Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 handed seven-year sentences in each case, to be served consecutively. Hasina, 78, was also fined Taka one lakh in each case, or an additional 18 months in prison if she fails to pay.
The court also sentenced Hasina’s son, Sajib Wajed Joy, and daughter, Saima Wazed Putul, to five years in prison each in cases linked to the Purbachal Rajuk New Town Project. Both were fined Taka one lakh, with one month added in case of non-payment.
"The plot was allotted to Sheikh Hasina without any application and beyond the legally authorised jurisdiction," Judge Mamun stated during the judgment.
The verdict comes ten days after Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a special tribunal for “crimes against humanity” over her government’s crackdown on student-led protests last year. Hasina, who fled Bangladesh to India on August 5 following the protests that toppled her Awami League government, maintains that the charges against her are “biased and politically motivated.” She had earlier been declared a fugitive by the courts.
Security was tightened around the court complex in Dhaka ahead of the verdict. Apart from the Hasina family, 20 others, including former junior minister for housing Sharif Ahmed and officials from the housing ministry and Rajdhani Unyan Kartripakkah, were tried; all except one were sentenced to varying prison terms. The one acquitted was a junior officer of the ministry, while another who faced trial in person received three years in prison.
The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed six cases between January 12 and 14, submitting charge sheets in all on March 10. Charges were framed on July 31, and arrest warrants were issued. A total of 29 witnesses testified during the trials.
On Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain said Bangladesh expects a response from New Delhi regarding its request for Hasina’s extradition, noting that “the situation is different now” with her conviction. India stated it is examining the request and is committed to ensuring the best interests of its people.
Since the collapse of Hasina’s government, most Awami League leaders have either been arrested or fled the country.
With PTI inputs