Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has denied committing crimes against humanity during a deadly crackdown on last year's uprising that ousted her, just days before the special tribunal trying her is expected to deliver a verdict.
Hasina, accused of orchestrating hundreds of killings during mass protests against her autocratic rule, labeled her trial in absentia a farce controlled by her political opponents. She stated, I'm not denying that the situation got out of control, nor that many lives were lost needlessly. But I never issued any order to fire on unarmed civilians. She fled the country on August 5, 2024, ahead of the escalating unrest.
As the tribunal prepares for a verdict that could potentially result in the death penalty for Hasina, security has been bolstered around the court in Dhaka. The case is significant, as it intersects with the legacy of widespread violence during Hasina’s governance, which human rights investigators estimate resulted in the deaths of up to 1,400 individuals.
In her interview, Hasina reiterated her innocence, claiming the trial was geared towards ensuring a guilty verdict. She noted that she had been unable to defend herself or select her own legal representation. As her supporters worry about the implications for the Awami League party, currently banned from participating in upcoming elections, the outcome of this trial could reshape Bangladesh's political landscape for years to come.
Questions surrounding her leadership and allegations of abuses during her tenure continue to cast a long shadow, as the nation watches closely for the tribunal's verdict.
