Historic Contempt Verdict
Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months in prison for contempt of court on July 2, marking the first legal verdict against her since her ouster in August 2024. The ruling, delivered in absentia by a three-judge panel, stems from a leaked audio clip where Hasina declared, "I have 227 cases against me, so I have a license to kill 227 people." Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam stated the sentence would take effect upon her arrest or surrender to authorities. Shakil Akand Bulbul, a leader of Hasina’s banned Awami League party, received a two-month sentence in the same case.
Context: Crackdown on Student Uprising
The contempt charge intersects with broader accusations that Hasina orchestrated a deadly crackdown on July 2024 student protests. Demonstrations erupted after Bangladesh’s Supreme Court reinstated a quota system reserving 30% of public jobs for descendants of 1971 independence fighters. Hasina’s government responded with force, leading to the deaths of up to 1,400 protesters—a figure verified by the UN. Security forces used military rifles, helicopters, and Awami League-aligned militias to suppress dissent, culminating in Hasina’s flight to India on August 5.
Command Responsibility for "Crimes Against Humanity"
In a parallel trial that began June 1, the ICT charged Hasina with five counts of crimes against humanity, including abetment of murder, incitement, and failure to prevent mass killings. Prosecutors allege she issued direct orders for "systematic attacks," citing evidence from video footage, audio recordings, and witness testimonies. Specific incidents highlighted include the killing of student protester Abu Sayeed and the burning deaths of six civilians in Ashulia. Former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun face related charges, with the latter in custody.
Political Purge and International Stalemate
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has banned the Awami League pending trial outcomes and declared July 16 as "Martyrs’ Day." India, however, continues to shelter Hasina in New Delhi, ignoring extradition requests and straining bilateral relations. The Yunus administration frames the trials as essential for restoring democratic accountability, while Hasina’s supporters dismiss them as political vendettas.
Broader Implications for Justice
The ICT, which was originally established by Hasina in 2009 to prosecute 1971 war crimes now tries her own alleged offenses, underscoring a dramatic reversal. The contempt verdict signals the tribunal’s assertion of authority, though critics question its impartiality given its political origins. With Bangladesh’s next elections delayed indefinitely, the proceedings could redefine the nation’s commitment to justice amid histories of authoritarianism and violence.