Bangladeshi judges are set to deliver a long-awaited verdict on November 17 in the crimes against humanity case filed against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in hiding.
Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam informed reporters on Thursday that the court has scheduled the final ruling for that date.
The 78-year-old Hasina faces accusations of ordering a deadly crackdown on student-led protests. She has reportedly refused to comply with court summons while residing in India.
“Justice will prevail according to the law,” said Prosecutor Islam. “We have reached the final stage after a long journey, and the court will announce its verdict on the 17th.”
The trial, which began in absentia on June 1, heard extensive testimonies regarding allegations that Hasina ordered mass killings during the suppression of the protests.
According to United Nations data, nearly 1,400 people were killed during the rebellion between July and August 2024, when Hasina was still in power.
The prosecution filed five major charges, including failure to prevent killings, complicity in mass violence, and crimes against humanity. If found guilty, Hasina could face the death penalty.
“We trust the honorable court will deliver a fair judgment guided by conscience,” Islam added. “This decision will quench the thirst for justice and mark a historic step toward ending crimes against humanity.”
Hasina, however, has denied all allegations, describing the case as a “political vendetta” and “an insult to justice.”
Her co-accused include former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who remains at large, and former Police Chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who is currently in custody and has already been convicted.
As Bangladesh approaches its general elections in February, political tensions have intensified. Hasina’s banned Awami League party called for a nationwide lockdown on Thursday, while heavy security, including armored vehicles and checkpoints, has been deployed around the court premises.
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