Bangladesh court sentences seven former officials to death for 2024 protest crackdown

A Bangladeshi court sentenced seven senior officials from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government to death in absentia on Tuesday, finding them guilty of crimes against humanity. The convicted officials are accused of inciting and ordering killings during the violent suppression of anti-government protests in 2024. Among those sentenced are Obaidul Quader, the former Awami League Secretary-General, and Mohammad Ali Arafat, the former Information Minister.

The 2024 unrest began in July as a student-led movement but quickly evolved into a nationwide uprising against the government. The United Nations estimates that approximately 1,400 people, predominantly civilians, lost their lives during the protests in July and August. The sustained pressure from the demonstrations ultimately forced Hasina to step down after more than 15 years in office. She fled to India on 5 August 2024 and was herself sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 for her involvement in the crackdown.

During the trial, Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam argued that most charges had been established beyond reasonable doubt. However, a court-appointed defence lawyer contended that the defendants had not been directly responsible for the killings and deserved reduced sentences. The court ruled that half of the defendants' assets should be seized and used to compensate the families of victims. This latest verdict brings the total number of death sentences connected to the 2024 uprising to 22.