Bangladesh Tribunal Set to Judge Sheikh Hasina

A Historic Verdict Looms: Bangladesh Tribunal Set to Judge Sheikh Hasina

On 17 November 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) in Bangladesh is scheduled to deliver a landmark verdict in a case that carries enormous political and moral weight. The tribunal is set to rule on charges of “crimes against humanity” brought against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with two of her top aides: ex–home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and the former Inspector General of Police, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The trial, widely watched domestically and internationally, marks a dramatic turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

The Charges and the Case Against Hasina

The prosecution has levied grave accusations against Hasina and her co-accused, centering on events during the July–August 2024 uprising, when mass protests erupted across the country. According to the tribunal, the government responded with a brutal crackdown on unarmed student demonstrators, employing heavy-handed tactics, lethal force, and even aerial deployment. The prosecution argues that Hasina incited violence through her public remarks, ordered the use of helicopters and other lethal weapons, and failed to prevent or punish security forces who killed and injured protesters. In total, the tribunal has framed five major counts, including incitement, command responsibility, and allegations of murder, maiming, and other inhumane acts.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors described a devastating human toll: reports suggest that up to 1,400 people may have died, with another 25,000 injured during the unrest. They also allege that Hasina and her government used the machinery of state — police, security forces, and loyal party cadres — to suppress a legitimate political uprising.

The Trial Process

The trial against Hasina has been exceptionally high-stakes, both legally and politically. It is being overseen by a three-judge panel: Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder, Justice Md. Shafiul Alam Mahmood, and Judge Md. Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury. After formal charges were filed, the tribunal conducted a fast-tracked hearing: opening statements, witness testimonies, and closing arguments all took place within a relatively short window. In total, 54 witnesses were called to testify.

Closing arguments wrapped up in late October 2025, and both the prosecution and the defense presented their final cases before the tribunal. The prosecution pressed for the maximum possible punishment, citing the scale of alleged crimes; defense lawyers, meanwhile, argued that the case was politically motivated, warning that a conviction could set a dangerous precedent for future trials, particularly when key figures are tried in absentia, as is the case for Hasina and Kamal.

Security, Tension, and Public Anxiety

In the run-up to the verdict, tensions in Dhaka have spiked. Security around the tribunal compound has been significantly intensified: checkpoints have been erected, and forces from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Armed Police Battalion, police, and even army units have been deployed. The capital has braced for potential unrest, especially against the backdrop of recent arson attacks and crude bomb explosions, which have stoked panic among citizens.

The atmosphere surrounding the tribunal is not just legal — it is deeply political. Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has been banned under the interim government, and its members have expressed outrage at the proceedings. Meanwhile, other political factions and protest groups view the tribunal as a long-delayed reckoning for the violence of the past regime.

The Weight of History

To fully grasp the gravity of this trial, one must understand Sheikh Hasina’s significance in Bangladesh’s political history. She served as prime minister for roughly fifteen years, a period marked by rapid development but also growing criticism over authoritarian tendencies. Her leadership was functionally entrenched: critics have long accused her of consolidating power, curbing dissent, and leveraging institutions — including the judiciary, security forces, and civil bureaucracy — to stifle opposition.

For her supporters, Hasina is a transformative figure who presided over economic growth, infrastructure development, and increased global prominence of Bangladesh. To opponents, her rule represented a dangerous concentration of power, leading to suppression of civil liberties and human rights abuses. This trial, then, is not only a test of legal accountability — it is a crucible for competing political narratives.

Possible Outcomes and Consequences

While the verdict still remains to be delivered, the stakes are enormous. Prosecutors are reportedly pushing for the maximum penalty, and they have also called for the confiscation of Hasina’s properties to compensate the families of victims. Moreover, they intend to petition Interpol for a fresh arrest warrant, signaling that the case may extend well beyond Bangladesh’s borders.

If Hasina is found guilty, the implications would be profound. A conviction — especially with a severe sentence — would vindicate the interim government’s promise to hold past leaders accountable. It could embolden other tribunals and legal actions against political figures and reshape Bangladesh’s political environment, potentially altering how future governments are held responsible for state violence.

Conversely, a not-guilty verdict could be framed by her supporters as vindication and could catalyze a political resurgence for her faction. Either way, the result is likely to reverberate through Bangladesh’s institutions and society for years to come.

Voices and Reactions

Public reaction has been polarized. Families of protest victims are anxiously watching, many hoping the verdict brings justice and closure. Student leaders who spearheaded the 2024 protests see the tribunal as their last remaining path to accountability. For their part, Hasina’s loyalists warn of political retribution and argue that the trial is part of a broader purge against their movement.

At the same time, international observers are closely monitoring developments. Critics have raised concerns about the fairness of the process, particularly given that the former prime minister and one co-accused were tried in absentia. Questions hang over whether due process has been fully respected, though the tribunal insists that all legal norms have been observed.

The Broader Context: Accountability and Reconciliation

This trial is more than a prosecution — it’s a reckoning. Bangladesh has long struggled to balance political stability, economic growth, and human rights. The 2024 uprising exposed deep social fissures, particularly among the youth, who felt marginalized by an entrenched political elite. The tribunal’s verdict could therefore shape not just the fate of individual leaders, but the alignment of power, trust, and legitimacy in the country.

For many, this is an opportunity for reconciliation: to acknowledge suffering, to hold leaders to account, and to reaffirm the rule of law. But for others, it is a dangerous precedent — a moment when justice could be used as a political weapon, especially in a volatile post-uprising transition.

Looking Ahead

As the nation awaits the verdict, all eyes are on the tribunal. Whatever the outcome, the ruling is likely to be a defining moment in Bangladesh’s modern history. Will justice be served in the name of the slain and injured, or will the verdict deepen political divisions and spark further conflict? Will the tribunal strengthen the institutions of accountability, or will it become a cautionary tale?

The answer will come on 17 November — but the repercussions of that judgment, whatever it may be, will echo far beyond the courtroom in Dhaka.

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