Bangladesh Court Sentences Seven Awami League Leaders to Death Over 2024 Uprising Crackdown

A three-member tribunal in Dhaka sentenced seven senior members of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party to death in absentia on Tuesday for their roles in attempting to crush the 2024 student-led uprising. The rulings encompass convictions for crimes against humanity, murder, and instigating killings during the months of civil unrest.

Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury headed the tribunal that issued the capital sentences. Among those convicted are former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat and former party general-secretary Obaidul Quader. According to United Nations figures, up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured between July and August 2024 as security forces and party loyalists sought to suppress the demonstrations.

The court issued death sentences against seven individuals in total. Alongside Arafat and Quader, the tribunal convicted AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hussain, and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam welcomed the verdict, stating that the state was satisfied with the judicial outcome.

State-appointed defence lawyer M Hasan Imam argued that the convicts were not directly responsible for physical violence. "They were not directly involved in the killings; they have been convicted due to their fellow activists and supporters," Imam said, adding that the tribunal could have issued lesser penalties.

In addition to the capital punishments, the tribunal ordered the confiscation of half the personal assets belonging to five of the convicted men. The court mandated that these seized assets be distributed as financial compensation to the families of individuals who died or sustained injuries during the 2024 crackdown.

Tuesday's rulings elevate the total number of individuals convicted in connection with the uprising trials to 68. Of that total, 22 defendants have received death sentences, although judicial authorities confirmed that only four of those individuals are currently in custody.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years before fleeing by helicopter in August 2024, was herself sentenced to death by hanging in absentia in November 2025. Hasina has consistently refused to recognize the legitimacy or authority of the tribunal.

The administration of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, which secured a victory in February elections, has formally requested Hasina's extradition from India, where she has been living in exile. Despite facing an active death sentence, the 78-year-old former leader stated an intention to return to Bangladesh by December.