Sections of the Bangladeshi media defended the death sentence handed down to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, even as concerns mounted over the political, legal, and diplomatic fallout of the ruling.
Hasina, convicted by a domestic tribunal in Dhaka for “crimes against humanity” relating to the July 2024 uprising, remains in India, where she has been living since her ouster last year.
The interim government in Dhaka has meanwhile instructed all print, electronic, and digital outlets to refrain from publishing statements from Hasina, calling her a “convicted and fugitive” individual whose comments could threaten national security and public order.
The Daily Star described the judgement as “an inevitable verdict” for families of those killed or permanently injured during the July uprising, arguing that the decision may offer them some closure. It added that as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) continues related cases, transparency and fairness must be ensured.
In Prathom Alo, political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman argued that the judgement has “undoubtedly delivered justice” but questioned whether it would have real-world impact if Hasina remains abroad. Rahman wrote that India’s refusal to return Hasina — despite repeated objections from Dhaka — makes her extradition unlikely. He noted that global bodies such as the UN oppose capital punishment, limiting international pressure on India. Rahman added that the verdict effectively ends Hasina’s political future.
Bhorer Kagoj also highlighted the diplomatic challenge, asking whether India would extradite the former prime minister under the 2013 treaty between the two countries. The paper noted that even if Bangladesh seeks her return, the process would involve legally complex and diplomatically sensitive steps.
Dhaka Tribune reported that Dhanmondi — home to the demolished residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — turned into a “battlefield” after the verdict was announced, with at least 50 people injured. Protesters claimed the number was much higher.
The newspaper Sangbad outlined that Hasina does have the right to appeal but must first surrender to the tribunal — a scenario that appears improbable given her current location.
The Business Standard noted that the Awami League, which remains banned and stripped of its registration, has rejected the judgement and announced a nationwide shutdown for November 18. Party leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak criticised the judicial process, highlighting that the trial concluded in just 20 days of hearings and heard only 54 of 84 witnesses.
Bdnews24, in an analysis titled After Hasina’s Death Sentence, Where Does the Awami League Go From Here?, questioned whether the party can survive the political crisis. It said the organisation now faces a leaderless future and must navigate an uncertain political landscape, contingent on government policy, internal restructuring, and geopolitical dynamics.
The International Crimes Tribunal, which Hasina herself established in 2009 to try offences related to the 1971 Liberation War, has issued verdicts in 55 cases over the past 15 years. After her removal from power in 2024, the reconstituted tribunal shifted its focus to alleged abuses committed during her tenure, including the violent suppression of last year’s protests.
The verdict has deepened political tensions and sparked debate across Bangladeshi media, exposing divisions over justice, accountability, and the country’s relationship with India, which now finds itself central to the question of whether the sentence will ever be carried out.