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The ex-prime minister of Bangladesh has been given a death sentence for atrocities due to her severe measures on student-led protests which led to her ousting.

The court convicted Sheikh Hasina of authorizing deadly measures to be used against demonstrators, with approximately 1,400 individuals died during the disturbances in the previous year.

The trial proceeded in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, having been exiled in India since she was forced from power in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being responsible for hundreds of killings during the protests. She has refuted every accusation, labeling the proceedings as "biased and politically motivated".

The verdict marks a decisive point for Bangladesh, as the protests revealed fury over extended periods of oppression. Next of kin of victims and harmed had called for strict sentences.

Responding to the decision in a detailed document, Hasina said the capital punishment was the temporary leadership's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a governing body and that she was content of her administration's performance on civil liberties.

"I do not fear to meet my challengers in a fair court where the proof can be evaluated and reviewed impartially."

Bangladesh's main city, Dhaka, where the tribunal took place, was under increased safeguards ahead of the decision on Monday, with numerous opponents of Hasina staging a rally and applauding as the sentence was declared.

The city has seen a recent spike in turmoil, with dozens of bombs exploded and buses set on fire in the period preceding the verdict.

At least one bomb explosion was reported in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no casualties reported, area law enforcement officer the authorities' representative informed news organizations.

The youth-driven revolt during 2024 commenced through requests to remove government job quotas but evolved into a wider anti-government movement.

United Nations rights examiners stated in a document in February that the nearly 1,400 casualties could amount to "violations of human dignity".

The paper detailed the shooting at point-blank range of a number of activists, the deliberate maiming of further participants, arbitrary arrests and abuse.

Leaked audio of one of Hasina's phone calls authenticated by investigative sources during the current year indicated she had authorized the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the proceedings.

Prior to the ruling, kin of those fatally injured in the unrest told news agencies they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

Ramjan Ali, whose brother was shot dead in July 2024, said he wanted "strict sentence" for Hasina and others who have "committed acts of vengeance and exploited their positions".

Lucky Akther, whose partner was fatally injured near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted Hasina's sentence to be "implemented before the election".

"Solely at that point the kin of victims [in the protests] will obtain solace in their minds."

After her departure, an interim government under the guidance of economist Muhammad Yunus has assumed control. A general election is scheduled for February 2026.

However, the her former political organization, her political faction, was banned by Bangladesh's temporary leadership in May.

The former leader cautioned last month that if the the League's representatives were barred from participating in the forthcoming vote, millions would boycott the ballot.

This decision presents a international dilemma for India and Bangladesh. Dhaka has formally requested her extradition but so far India has shown no willingness to agree.

Her officially designated attorney Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "disappointed and hoping the decision had been otherwise".

"I cannot even contest because my clients are absent; which is why I am disheartened," he stated further.

The previous week, Hasina's lawyers said they had lodged a prompt application to the UN raising major judicial fairness and legal procedure concerns at the ICT.

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

Although the punishment grants partial finality to kin of victims in the protests, it may do little to soothe the country's political divisions.

"The fury directed at the former leader and the her political party has not decreased," a Dhaka-based rights activist told media outlets. "Neither she nor the party has said sorry or shown any remorse for the deaths of numerous individuals."

She said "This complicates matters for the organization to receive endorsement by a majority of people in this country."

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

"We assist several people who lost their limbs forever, they are now disabled, due to the crackdown. They are incapable of excusing her."

An analyst, an observer of Bangladeshi affairs, said the "inherent character of the guilty verdict could make it even more difficult" for the political faction to become a regular participant of the country's governance system again.

This might transform if "there is some kind of apology and a separation from the former leader and the former hierarchy," he stated.