2 hrs ago
Bangladesh Court Sentences Seven Hasina-Era Leaders to Death
A court in Bangladesh sentenced seven former ruling-party leaders to death.
The men were not present when the sentences were announced.
They were accused of helping suppress a large student-led uprising in 2024.
The United Nations says up to 1,400 people died during that period.
The men’s lawyer said they were not directly involved in the killings.
The court also ordered some of their assets to go to victims’ families.
Former leader Sheikh Hasina, who is in India, was also sentenced to death earlier.
Bangladesh’s government has asked India to send her back, but she has rejected the court’s authority.
A Bangladesh court sentenced seven senior Awami League leaders to death in absentia.
The men were convicted of crimes against humanity, including murder and inciting killings during the 2024 uprising.
The United Nations says as many as 1,400 people were killed during the July-August 2024 crackdown.
The defense said the men were not directly involved in killings and deserved lesser sentences.
The court ordered half the assets of five defendants distributed as compensation to victims’ families.
- Who
- Seven senior leaders of Sheikh Hasina’s former Awami League government, including Obaidul Quader and Mohammad Ali Arafat, were sentenced.
- What
- A Bangladesh court imposed death sentences in absentia for crimes against humanity, including murder and inciting killings.
- Where
- The case was heard by a Bangladesh tribunal.
- When
- The sentences were announced on Tuesday; the alleged killings occurred during the July-August 2024 uprising.
- Why
- The defendants were convicted for their alleged roles in trying to suppress the 2024 student-led uprising.
Prosecution and Court Position
Defense Position
Responsibility for killings
Prosecution and Court Position
The court convicted the seven of crimes against humanity, including murder and instigating or provoking killings during the uprising.
Defense Position
Defense lawyer M Hasan Imam said the men were not directly involved in the killings and were convicted because of the actions of fellow activists and supporters.
Severity of punishment
Prosecution and Court Position
Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said he was pleased with the verdict, which imposed death sentences.
Defense Position
The defense argued that the court could have imposed lesser sentences instead of death.
Authority of the proceedings
Prosecution and Court Position
The Bangladesh government has pursued accountability and requested Sheikh Hasina’s extradition after her separate death sentence.
Defense Position
Hasina has refused to accept the court’s authority and said she will return voluntarily in December despite the sentence.
Key facts
- Defendants sentenced
- Seven former Awami League leaders
- Sentence
- Death in absentia
- Crimes cited
- Crimes against humanity, murder, and instigating or provoking killings
- Deaths during uprising
- As many as 1,400, according to the United Nations
- Tribunal
- A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury
- Compensation order
- Half the assets of five defendants were ordered distributed to families of people killed or injured
- Broader case total
- Sixty-eight people have been convicted in trials linked to the 2024 protests; 22 received death sentences
Quotes
Md Aminul Islam
Prosecutor in the Bangladesh case
“They were not directly involved in the killings, they have been convicted due to their fellow activists and supporters”
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
“We are happy with the verdict”
deccanchronicle.com
NDTV
Sources
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