Tight security has been imposed across Dhaka ahead of the announcement, with additional police and military personnel deployed near government offices, airports, and the tribunal complex. Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is expected to address the nation later tonight, as the country braces for potential unrest.
Public Prosecutor Gazi Munawar Hossain Tamim confirmed that the prosecution has sought the death penalty for Hasina, citing her alleged role in orchestrating violence and failing to prevent atrocities during her final months in power. The Awami League, Hasina’s party, has called for a nationwide shutdown on Thursday to protest the proceedings, calling them politically motivated.
The charges stem from events surrounding Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024, following months of violent student-led demonstrations over government quotas. Protesters accused her administration of corruption, repression, and ordering police action that left dozens dead. Hasina fled to India before the collapse of her two-decade-long rule.
The Yunus-led interim government later filed multiple cases against the former premier, including murder, treason, and abuse of power. Hasina, now living in India on an extended visa, has refused to return to Bangladesh despite an arrest warrant issued by the ICT.
In a statement, Hasina dismissed the allegations as “fabricated and politically driven,” accusing the tribunal of bias. The Indian government has so far rejected Dhaka’s request for her deportation.
If convicted, the verdict could mark an unprecedented moment in Bangladesh’s political history, further deepening the nation’s divide between Hasina’s loyalists and the interim administration.
3.jpg)
