Hasina Rejects Allegations Ahead of Bangladesh Tribunal Verdict

Published: 14 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically denied committing crimes against humanity during a deadly crackdown on last year’s uprising that ultimately led to her ousting, speaking to the BBC just days before a special tribunal is set to deliver its verdict. The tribunal, which has been conducting trials in absentia, is expected to rule on allegations that Hasina was the primary architect of hundreds of killings during mass protests against her autocratic rule. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if she is found guilty.

In her first interview since fleeing Bangladesh on 5 August 2024, Hasina described the trial as a “farce” orchestrated by a “kangaroo court” controlled by political opponents. She told the BBC that the proceedings were predetermined, aimed at delivering a “pre-ordained guilty verdict,” and denied any involvement in ordering violence against civilians.

“I’m not denying that the situation got out of control, nor that many lives were lost needlessly,” Hasina said in an email interview. “But I never issued any order to fire on unarmed civilians.” She insisted that her political opponents were using the trial to “liquidate” her Awami League party as a political force, adding that she had not been able to defend herself properly or appoint legal representation.

The tribunal has formally indicted Hasina, alongside former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. While Khan remains in hiding, the latter has pleaded guilty but has yet to be sentenced. Security has been significantly tightened in and around the tribunal in Dhaka ahead of Monday’s verdict, which marks a critical moment for Bangladesh as well as for the relatives of those killed during the student-led anti-government protests that ousted Hasina.

UN human rights investigators have reported that up to 1,400 people were killed when Hasina’s government used systematic, deadly force against protesters during what has been described as an attempt to cling to power. Leaked audio of one of her phone calls, verified by BBC Eye earlier this year and played during the trial, suggested that she may have authorised the use of “lethal weapons” in July 2024. Despite this, Hasina maintains she had no direct involvement in ordering security forces to fire upon protesters.

The tribunal’s proceedings come amid a broader reckoning with abuses committed during Hasina’s 15-year rule. Many critics and political opponents were allegedly abducted, detained in secret jails, or killed unlawfully. Following her removal from power, authorities discovered numerous clandestine detention centres holding prisoners who had been held without legal process for extended periods. Hasina, however, denied knowledge or involvement in these activities.

“This is denied in terms of my own involvement,” she said. “But if there is evidence of abuse by officials, let us have it examined properly in an impartial, depoliticised process.” She also rejected allegations of extra-judicial killings and disappearances for which human rights groups have implicated her, arguing that as head of government, she cannot be held personally accountable without clear and verifiable evidence.

Lawyers representing Hasina have filed an urgent appeal to the United Nations, citing serious fair trial and due process concerns at the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh. Their statement highlighted the lack of access to legal counsel, the predetermined nature of proceedings, and what they described as political interference in the judicial process.

The tribunal’s verdict will have profound implications for Bangladesh, not only for Hasina and her associates but also for the country’s political landscape. The Awami League is currently banned from standing in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February, raising concerns among observers that the political environment remains heavily influenced by ongoing legal actions against former officials.

Analysts have noted that the trial reflects a highly polarised political climate in Bangladesh. Hasina’s supporters argue that she has been unfairly targeted due to her long tenure and the perceived threat her party poses to the new government. Critics, however, emphasise the severity of the crackdown and the documented evidence of human rights violations, underscoring the necessity of accountability at the highest levels of leadership.

Speaking about the trial, Hasina reiterated that she had been unable to participate in her defence due to her exile in India. She insisted that her ousting and the subsequent legal actions were politically motivated, and argued that any legitimate investigation should be conducted in an impartial and depoliticised manner. “If there is evidence, let it be examined,” she said, “but it must be done fairly, without political influence, and with due process for all involved.”

The allegations against Hasina have also brought international scrutiny. Human rights organisations have condemned the use of excessive force against protesters during the 2024 uprising and have called for independent investigations into the killings, disappearances, and abuse of detainees. The UN has repeatedly urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure transparency and impartiality in all proceedings against former officials.

In addition to the charges of crimes against humanity, Hasina and other senior members of her former government are facing separate corruption trials, which they also deny. These cases contribute to the ongoing debate over governance, accountability, and political legitimacy in Bangladesh. Observers note that the outcomes of these trials, combined with the upcoming tribunal verdict, will likely influence the political trajectory of the country for years to come.

As the tribunal prepares to issue its decision, security remains heightened in Dhaka, reflecting both the sensitivity of the trial and the potential for public unrest. The verdict is anticipated with intense interest, not only in Bangladesh but also internationally, as a barometer of justice, political stability, and the country’s commitment to human rights.

In conclusion, Sheikh Hasina’s BBC interview underscores her unwavering denial of involvement in crimes against humanity during her tenure as Bangladesh’s prime minister. Her comments highlight claims of political persecution, lack of due process, and concerns over the impartiality of the tribunal. With the verdict imminent, Bangladesh faces a defining moment that will shape the nation’s legal and political landscape, address the grievances of families affected by the 2024 uprising, and set a precedent for accountability and governance in the country’s future.