Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has dismissed the charges and verdict delivered against her by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT), calling the ruling “politically motivated” and the tribunal itself “rigged” and illegitimate. The court on Monday convicted the ousted leader on five counts of crimes against humanity linked to the July–August 2024 uprising and sentenced her to death.
In a strongly worded statement released by the Bangladesh Awami League, Hasina accused the unelected government of manipulating the tribunal to eliminate her politically and erase the Awami League from Bangladesh’s political landscape.
“The verdicts announced against me have been made by a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government with no democratic mandate. They are biased and politically motivated,” Hasina said, alleging that extremist elements inside the interim government were intent on ensuring her removal. She said the call for the death penalty exposed the “murderous intent” of those currently holding power.
Hasina launched a sweeping attack on the Yunus-led administration, describing the present state of Bangladesh as chaotic, regressive, and plagued by lawlessness. She claimed that public institutions have crumbled, policing has deteriorated, and that Awami League members and supporters have faced violent persecution with impunity.
According to her statement, religious minorities, particularly Hindus, have been under attack, while Islamist elements—including members of Hizb-ut-Tahrir—have gained influence inside the interim regime.
“Journalists are being detained, women’s rights are in retreat, and the economy has stalled,” she said, accusing Prof Yunus of delaying elections and banning the Awami League from contesting them.
Hasina dismissed all charges brought against her, maintaining that neither she nor her political allies ordered violence during the July–August 2024 uprising. She further stated she was denied legal representation of her choice and argued that the ICT was neither international nor impartial.
The former prime minister accused the tribunal of prosecuting only Awami League members while ignoring violence perpetrated by other political groups, including attacks on minorities, journalists, and indigenous communities.
“This same court was once used to try the 1971 war criminals. Now it is being weaponised for personal vengeance against a democratically elected government,” she said.
Hasina reiterated her demand for the charges to be brought before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, a challenge she claims the interim government refuses because “the ICC would acquit me and expose their own human rights abuses.”
Her statement accuses Yunus’s security apparatus of crushing protests with lethal force, targeting student demonstrators, garment workers, teachers, and medical professionals. She also alleges that after seizing power, forces loyal to Yunus carried out killings in Gopalganj, burnt homes and businesses of Awami League supporters nationwide, and later granted indemnity to those responsible.
“Terrorists and convicted killers have been released, while jails are filled with Awami League leaders and activists,” she said.
Hasina highlighted her government’s human rights, economic, and development record, pointing to Bangladesh’s accession to the ICC in 2010, sheltering of Rohingya refugees, expanded electricity access, major growth in education, and a dramatic rise in GDP across her tenure.
