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Bangladesh's former prime minister has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity stemming from her crackdown on youth demonstrations which resulted in her removal from power.

The court convicted Sheikh Hasina of authorizing deadly measures to be used against activists, among whom around 1,400 people died during the turmoil last year.

Legal proceedings were conducted without her presence by the special international tribunal in Bangladesh, as she resides in exile in India following her ouster in July 2024.

Legal authorities charged her of being the mastermind of multiple fatalities during the protests. The former leader rejected all charges, labeling the proceedings as "unfair and agenda-driven".

The verdict marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the protests brought forth resentment over years of repression. Families of those killed and wounded had demanded tough penalties.

Responding to the decision in a five-page statement, the former leader stated the execution sentence was the temporary leadership's way of "eliminating her political faction" as a political force and that she was proud of her leadership's history on civil liberties.

"I do not fear to face my accusers in a fair court where the proof can be evaluated and tested fairly."

The capital, Dhaka, where the court convened, was under enhanced protection before the decision on Monday, with many of Hasina's critics staging a rally and applauding as the verdict was read.

The city has seen a sudden increase in unrest, with numerous incendiary devices set off and buses set on fire in the days leading up to the verdict.

A minimum of one detonation was noted in Dhaka on Monday morning, with zero injuries documented, local police official the authorities' representative told media outlets.

The student-led uprising in the previous year commenced through requests to remove government job quotas but evolved into a broader opposition campaign.

United Nations rights examiners stated in a document in February that the approximately 1,400 deaths could amount to "human rights atrocities".

The study recorded the shooting at point-blank range of a number of activists, the purposeful disabling of further participants, unjustified apprehensions and abuse.

Leaked audio of a call made by the former leader verified by media examinations earlier this year suggested she had sanctioned the use of "fatal instruments" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the proceedings.

Before the decision, family members of those who died in the demonstrations informed media representatives they wanted Hasina to be punished severely.

Ramjan Ali, whose family member was fatally wounded in July 2024, said he wanted "strict sentence" for the former leader and associates who have "engaged in retaliatory actions and exploited their positions".

Another relative, whose spouse died near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted the former leader's punishment to be "executed before the election".

"Solely at that point the relatives of the deceased [in the protests] will find peace in their minds."

After her departure, an interim government headed by economic expert Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A parliamentary election is scheduled for February 2026.

However, the Hasina's political party, Hasina's political party, was prohibited by Bangladesh's temporary leadership in May.

She alerted last month that if the party's candidates were prohibited from running in the forthcoming vote, numerous would avoid the election.

This decision presents a international dilemma for India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has asked her return but until now India has demonstrated no inclination to comply.

Her officially designated attorney her legal counsel said he was "sad [and wishes] the verdict had been different".

"I am unable to challenge because my defendants are not present; for that reason I am disheartened," he continued.

The previous week, Hasina's lawyers said they had lodged a prompt application to the UN pointing out significant due process and judicial process problems at the ICT.

Legal proceedings involved Hasina alongside her former home minister and security forces head.

Although the punishment grants partial finality to relatives of the deceased in the protests, it may not significantly ease the country's political divisions.

"The fury directed at the former leader and the Awami League has not subsided," a Dhaka-based rights activist informed news organizations. "Neither she nor the party has said sorry or demonstrated contrition for the deaths of numerous individuals."

She said "This complicates matters for the faction to gain approval by a majority of people in this state."

The activist added that the sentence was not resolution for the families of those fatally and non-fatally harmed.

"We support numerous persons who underwent irreversible limb loss, they are now disabled, because of the suppression. They will never be able to forgive her."

David Bergman, a journalist and a long-time Bangladesh watcher, said the "inherent character of the guilty verdict could make it even more difficult" for Awami League to become a standard element of the nation's political landscape again.

This may change if "there is some kind of apology and a disassociation with the former leader and the previous administration," he expressed.