A Bangladesh court on Tuesday sentenced seven senior leaders of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, including two former ministers, to death in absentia for their role in the attempt
to crush the 2024 student uprising.
The seven men were convicted of crimes against humanity, including murder, as well as instigating and provoking killings during the uprising that brought an end to Hasina’s 15-year rule.
Among those sentenced were former Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader and former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat. The verdict was delivered by a three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
“We are happy with the verdict,” prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said.
The United Nations has said as many as 1,400 people were killed between July and August 2024, when Hasina’s government attempted to suppress the student-led uprising.
Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024, escaping to neighbouring India by helicopter, where she remains. She herself was sentenced to death by hanging in absentia in November 2025.
The defence, however, disputed the case against the seven men. State-appointed defence lawyer M Hasan Imam said they were not directly involved in the killings and argued that the tribunal could have imposed a lesser sentence.
“They were not directly involved in the killings, they have been convicted due to their fellow activists and supporters,” he said.
The other five men sentenced to death are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hussain and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
The court also ordered that half the assets of five of the men be distributed as compensation to families of people killed or injured during the uprising.
What Happens Next?
Tuesday’s verdict takes the total number of people convicted in trials linked to the 2024 protests to 68. Of them, 22 have been sentenced to death, although only four are currently in custody.
Hasina has refused to recognise the authority of the court and has rejected the proceedings against her.
The government of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which swept to power in February in the first elections held since Hasina’s ouster, has sought her extradition from India.
Hasina, 78, has meanwhile said she will return to Bangladesh of her own accord in December, despite the death sentence hanging over her.
