Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina Sentenced To 6 Months In Prison In Contempt Of Court Case

contempt of court case

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday has been sentenced to six months in jail in a contempt of court case.

The verdict was delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal-1, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

This is the first conviction against Hasina since she fled the country nearly 11 months ago, following a massive student-led uprising that ended her regime.

In the same ruling, Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gaibandha’s Gobindaganj was sentenced to two months in jail.

Hasina, now in exile in India, is facing multiple charges of crimes against humanity related to the violent suppression of protests last year. Over 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024, as per UN estimates, during a crackdown allegedly ordered by her government in an attempt to cling to power.

The former premier, whose trial in absentia began on June 1, has denied all allegations. Prosecutors have charged her with abetment, conspiracy, and failure to prevent mass killings in three key incidents, including the murder of a 23-year-old protester and two other mass killings in Dhaka and Ashulia.

Her party, the now-banned Awami League, released a statement from London calling the proceedings a “show trial” and claiming Hasina “categorically denies the charges.”

Hasina is being tried along with two former officials—ex-interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who is absconding, and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, who is currently in custody.