The Awami League has denounced the death sentence handed to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by a Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal, calling the proceedings a “kangaroo court” and accusing Bangladesh’s interim government of orchestrating predetermined verdicts.
Tribunal Sentences Former Leader
The tribunal sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death in absentia for their roles in deadly force deployment against protesters during last year’s student uprising. The unrest killed hundreds and ended Hasina’s 15-year rule before she fled to India.
“Pre-Written” Verdict Claims
Awami League leader Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, who served as minister under Hasina, challenged the trial’s legitimacy.
“It was a staged drama. They know that this verdict is not implementable. So they had to give something. They have pre-written the judgement. The tribunal’s chairman was not even present in the court for the last month. The court’s constitution itself is illegal because the interim regime does not have any legal authority to amend the laws of the tribunal, which they have done in order to put us all on trial in this kangaroo court,” Chowdhury told NDTV.
He claimed standard procedures were ignored, denying Hasina proper legal representation.
“We were not allowed to appoint our chosen lawyers there. They had classed us as fugitives. And some of the senior lawyers in Dhaka wanted to fight for our leader, Sheikh Hasina, [but] they were all denied. They were not allowed to go to court. So a trial had taken place where no representation was made on our behalf,” Chowdhury stated.
Party’s Future and Election Challenge
Despite being banned from upcoming February elections, Chowdhury insisted the Awami League retains majority support.
“Awami League has faced this since 1975. We were banned in the past, and we rose from the ashes. And that’s what we will do this time, too,” he said, challenging the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government to permit electoral participation.
Regional Security Allegations
Chowdhury accused the interim government of connections with Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, questioning why Yunus was “cosying up” to Pakistan.
Hasina, 78, called the charges “biased and politically motivated,” arguing she “acted in good faith” to minimize casualties. India has declined extradition requests, making execution or imprisonment unlikely. Hasina cannot appeal unless she surrenders within 30 days.
