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The ex-prime minister of Bangladesh has been given a death sentence for human rights violations due to her crackdown on youth demonstrations which led to her removal from power.

Hasina was declared culpable of allowing lethal force to be used against activists, with approximately 1,400 individuals lost their lives during the turmoil during 2024.

Hasina was tried without her presence by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, since she went into exile in India after being removed from office in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being the mastermind of multiple fatalities during the protests. She has refuted every accusation, calling the trial as "biased and politically motivated".

The verdict marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over extended periods of oppression. Families of those killed and injured had called for severe punishments.

Responding to the decision in a five-page statement, the former leader stated the capital punishment was the caretaker administration's way of "nullifying [her party] the Awami League" as a governing body and that she was satisfied of her leadership's history on human rights.

"I am not afraid to face my accusers in a just legal forum where the facts can be assessed and tested fairly."

Bangladesh's main city, Dhaka, where the legal proceedings occurred, was under enhanced protection before the decision on Monday, with numerous opponents of Hasina holding a protest and cheering as the judgment was announced.

Dhaka experienced a sudden increase in disturbances, with multiple explosives detonated and coaches ignited in the period preceding the verdict.

One explosive incident was reported in Dhaka on Monday morning, with zero injuries documented, local police official the police spokesperson stated to news organizations.

The student-led uprising during 2024 began with requests to remove public sector reservation policies but morphed into a broader opposition campaign.

International human rights monitors said in a report in February that the nearly 1,400 casualties could represent "violations of human dignity".

The study recorded the firing at close quarters of a number of activists, the intentional injuring of others, arbitrary arrests and torture.

Leaked audio of one of Hasina's phone calls confirmed by external reviews in previous months indicated she had sanctioned the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the legal process.

Before the decision, relatives of those killed during the protests stated to press outlets they wanted Hasina to be punished severely.

Ramjan Ali, whose brother was shot dead in July 2024, said he wanted "strict sentence" for her and co-accused who have "committed acts of vengeance and abused their power".

A different family member, whose husband was killed near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted her penalty to be "implemented before the election".

"Exclusively thereafter the kin of victims [in the protests] will find peace in their hearts."

Since Hasina's ousting, an interim government headed by economic expert Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A national vote is scheduled for February 2026.

Nevertheless, the Hasina's political party, her political faction, was outlawed by Bangladesh's temporary leadership in May.

She alerted during the past month that if the the League's representatives were barred from participating in the upcoming election, numerous would avoid the ballot.

The judgment creates a diplomatic challenge for India and Bangladesh. Authorities have sought her repatriation but to date India has shown no willingness to comply.

Hasina's state-appointed lawyer her legal counsel said he was "disappointed and hoping the outcome had varied".

"I am unable to challenge because my defendants are not present; which is why I am sad," he added.

The previous week, Hasina's lawyers said they had lodged a prompt application to the UN highlighting serious fair trial and due process issues at the ICT.

The former leader faced trial together with her previous domestic affairs official and security forces head.

Even though the verdict provides certain resolution to families of killed in the protests, it may do little to soothe the nation's partisan rifts.

"The anger against Hasina and the the former ruling faction has not decreased," a Dhaka-based rights activist informed media outlets. "Neither she nor the party has said sorry or displayed repentance for the killings of hundreds of people."

She said "This complicates matters for the party to be accepted by a majority of people in this country."

The campaigner further stated that the penalty was not closure for the relatives of those who died and were wounded.

"We support numerous persons who underwent irreversible limb loss, they are currently without limbs, because of the suppression. They are incapable of excusing her."

A journalist, a commentator on the nation's politics, said the "inherent character of the guilty verdict could make it particularly hard" for her party to become a regular participant of Bangladeshi politics again.

This may change if "a form of contrition emerges and a distancing from Hasina and the former hierarchy," he stated.