Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to six months in prison for contempt of court, according to a ruling issued by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), a special court that handles cases involving serious offenses like war crimes and crimes against humanity. The three-member panel, headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Majumder, delivered the verdict in Hasina’s absence. Hasina, who has been living in India since her ousting last year, did not appear in court, nor did she appoint legal representation, despite public notices issued by the tribunal.
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This marks the first conviction against Hasina since she fled the country following large-scale student protests in July 2024 that turned violent. The unrest eventually led to the collapse of her government and the rise of an interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. The contempt case stemmed from public comments Hasina allegedly made, which were widely circulated in a leaked audio recording. In the recording, she is heard saying, “There are 227 cases against me, so I now have a license to kill 227 people.” Government forensic experts have since confirmed the authenticity of the tape.
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The tribunal considered these remarks to be a direct challenge to the court’s authority. Alongside Hasina, Shakil Akand Bulbul, a leader of the now-banned Chhatra League student group closely linked to her Awami League party, was also found guilty in the same case. He received a two-month prison sentence. Both sentences will be enforced if Hasina and Bulbul are arrested or return to Bangladesh voluntarily, Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam confirmed in a press briefing following the ruling.
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The contempt charges are only one part of a broader legal battle facing the former prime minister. The tribunal has already issued three arrest warrants for Hasina over allegations related to crimes against humanity during last year’s deadly protests. Prosecutors accuse her of orchestrating violent crackdowns, including murder and arson, as part of efforts to suppress dissent and retain power. The initial complaint was filed on April 30, after Hasina and Bulbul were accused of making inflammatory remarks about the tribunal and its handling of the cases stemming from the 2024 protests. Senior lawyer AY Moshiuzzaman was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court during the proceedings.
While the current interim government insists the prosecutions are necessary to restore justice and rebuild trust in democratic institutions, Hasina’s allies claim the charges are politically motivated. Additionally, Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Towhid Hossain confirmed Thursday that Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite Hasina. The government, he said, is following up on that request and intends to pursue all legal avenues to bring her back to face justice. The Awami League, once a dominant political force under Hasina, remains banned under the transitional leadership, which has pledged to crack down on political corruption and human rights abuses.
