Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Bangladesh Sentences Seven Hasina-Era Leaders to Death Over 2024 Uprising
A court in Bangladesh sentenced seven leaders from Sheikh Hasina’s former political party to death.
The sentences were given in absentia, meaning the men were not in court when they were announced.
The court said they committed crimes against humanity, including murder and encouraging killings.
The case involved a student-led uprising in 2024.
The United Nations says as many as 1,400 people died during the government’s attempt to stop the uprising.
A defense lawyer said the men did not directly kill anyone and should have received lighter punishments.
The court also ordered some of their property to be given to families of people who were killed or hurt.
Sheikh Hasina, who is in India, has rejected the court’s authority after receiving a separate death sentence.
A Bangladesh court sentenced seven senior Awami League leaders to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, including murder and provoking killings.
The defendants include former party general secretary Obaidul Quader and former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat.
The convictions concern the government’s suppression of a student-led uprising in July and August 2024, when the United Nations says as many as 1,400 people were killed.
Defense lawyer M Hasan Imam 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 families of people killed or injured in the uprising.
- Who
- Seven senior leaders of Sheikh Hasina’s former Awami League, 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 instigating or provoking killings.
- When
- The sentences were announced on Tuesday; the alleged killings occurred during July and August 2024.
- Where
- The case was heard by a three-member Bangladesh tribunal.
- Why
- The defendants were convicted over their alleged roles in suppressing 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 imposing death sentences.
Defense Position
The defense argued that the court could have imposed lesser sentences instead of death.
Court authority and extradition
Prosecution and Court Position
Bangladesh’s government has 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.
- Defendants
- Seven senior former Awami League leaders
- Sentence
- Death in absentia
- Charges
- Crimes against humanity, murder, and instigating or provoking killings
- Deaths in uprising
- As many as 1,400, according to the United Nations
- Tribunal
- Three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury
- Compensation
- Half the assets of five defendants were ordered distributed to families of people killed or injured
- Related convictions
- Sixty-eight people have been convicted in trials connected to the 2024 protests; 22 received death sentences
