Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) on Monday delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to last year’s July demonstrations.

The tribunal also convicted two senior members of her former administration — ex–Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. Mamun, who has turned state witness, received a pardon but will still face what the court described as a “lenient sentence” due to the severity of the charges.

The detailed judgment, spanning 453 pages, was still being read out at the time of reporting. The proceedings were broadcast live on Bangladesh Television (BTV) from ICT’s Tribunal-1, chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder.

According to prosecutors, the case includes more than 8,700 pages of evidence, reference materials, and victim lists. Five charges were brought against the accused, including failure to prevent murder — an offense categorized as a crime against humanity under Bangladeshi law. Prosecutors have also sought the confiscation of all assets belonging to the three and the redistribution of those assets to the victims’ families.

Hasina has repeatedly denied the allegations and has refused to return to Bangladesh to stand trial. Asaduzzaman is currently at large, while Mamun remains in custody.

Mamun’s decision to testify for the state marks the first instance of an accused cooperating with prosecutors since the tribunal’s founding in 2010.

Heightened Security in Dhaka

Authorities placed Dhaka under an extensive security lockdown ahead of the verdict. On Sunday night, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali authorized officers to use "shoot-at-sight" measures against individuals involved in arson, explosive attacks, or assaults on civilians and police.

The ruling coincides with a two-day strike called by the Awami League for November 16–17. The capital has reported a spike in arson and crude bomb attacks over the past 48 hours. At least 21 Awami League leaders and activists — currently barred from political activity — were detained in Narayanganj during special operations in the past 36 hours, according to local newspapers.