Dhaka: Bangladesh is on a knife’s edge as the International Crimes Tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict on November 17 in the high-profile “crimes against humanity” trial of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The 78-year-old, who has been living in exile in India since her ouster in August 2024, faces multiple serious charges tied to her government’s response to last year’s protests.
In a tightly secured court complex, a three-judge bench led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mozumder is set to issue the judgment, following months of televised proceedings beginning from June 1. Hasina is accused alongside former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who turned approver during the trial.
The charges filed by the chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam include murder, torture, and incitement to mass violence during the July 2024 student uprising, which spiraled into a nationwide political crisis. The tribunal has reportedly asked for the maximum sentence if the defendants are found guilty.
As the verdict draws near, security has been dramatically tightened across Dhaka. Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, and army patrols have surrounded the tribunal, signaling the government’s concern over potential unrest.
Observers note that this trial carries weight far beyond the courtroom it could reshape the country’s political future. Hasina’s party, the Awami League, remains politically marginalized, and a conviction may deepen existing divisions. Meanwhile, critics have voiced concerns about due process and political influence, especially given that Hasina and one of her co-accused were tried in absentia.
Whatever the outcome, Monday’s decision is likely to be a turning point for Bangladesh’s justice institutions, its fragile political stability, and its international standing.