Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 6 mths in jail in contempt case

Bangladesh's deposed prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to six months in jail in connection with a contempt of court case by the country's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

 

The verdict against Hasina was issued by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder. The tribunal also sentenced Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha to two months in prison.

 

This is the first time that the ousted Awami League leader has been sentenced in a case since she left office last year and fled the country. Hasina's nearly 16-year Awami League regime was toppled by a student-led protest on August 5 last year, forcing her to flee and take refuge in India. While Hasina is in India, her ministers and several party leaders are behind bars or on the run at home and abroad since the fall of her government. 

 

 

The court ruling comes days after Bangladesh's crime tribunal removed the state-appointed counsel for Sheikh Hasina following a controversy erupted over his previous demand for her execution. The counsel was removed after his Facebook post from last year resurfaced, leading to his removal. 

 

In June, Hasina, along with two other officials, was previously charged with 'crimes against humanity' by Bangladeshi prosecutors for their alleged roles during the mass protests in July 2024.  Hasina was accused of mass killings during July-August 2024 and enforced disappearances.  

 

Days after Hasina fled Bangladesh, Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed to lead the interim government. Weeks after his appointment, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) issued arrest warrants against Hasina and several former Cabinet ministers, advisers, and military and civil officials for alleged crimes against humanity and genocide

 

In April 2025, the Bangladesh Police's National Central Bureau (NCB) submitted a request to Interpol seeking a red notice against Hasina and 11 others. Such requests are processed by the NCB based on appeals from courts, public prosecutors, or investigating agencies.