POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Nov 14, 2025 : Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in a popular uprising and a military coup and is now in exile in India, has denied the anti-humanity allegations leveled against her in the case filed at the International Crimes Tribunal and described the allegations against her as politically motivated and part of a predetermined verdict.
In an email interview with an international media outlet, Sheikh Hasina said the trial being held in her absence is a ‘kangaroo court farce’ and under the control of her political opponents. She added that she has not been given the opportunity to present her lawyer or defend herself.
The death penalty has been demanded on five charges, including incitement, incitement and ‘superior command responsibility’ for the suppression of the movement in July-August 2024. The then Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun have also been named as accused in the same case. The prosecution has also sought the death penalty against Kamal.
Sheikh Hasina has said that she never ordered the firing on unarmed civilians even when the situation got out of control to suppress the movement. She has politically termed the case as a “plan to wipe out the Awami League”.
According to the UN High Commission for Human Rights and media reports, more than 1,400 people were killed in security forces’ firing during that time. However, Hasina has denied the allegations, saying that she has no personal involvement and that if any official is responsible, it should be investigated impartially.
Lawyers have already expressed concerns about the tribunal’s trial and legal process at the UN and have sought urgent intervention. As the Awami League is banned from political activities in Bangladesh during the case, the party will not be able to participate in the upcoming February 13 parliamentary elections.
According to Sheikh Hasina, this case and other human rights complaints are being used as a tool by political opponents. She is demanding that any charges against her be proven through a fair and impartial investigation.
It is worth noting that the International Criminal Tribunal has set the date for the verdict to be announced on Monday (November 17). Meanwhile, the Awami League observed a morning and evening lockdown in Bangladesh on November 13 against the illegal verdict. The country was paralyzed by the lockdown. After August 5, the Yunus government banned the activities of the Awami League, calling it fascist. The party also announced a complete shutdown from November 15-17 to make the people think against the verdict of the Kangaroo Court on Monday.
