India on Monday acknowledged a tribunal ruling on a former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the neighbouring nation’s peace, democracy, inclusion and constructive dialogue.
“India has taken note of the verdict on former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced by the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh). As a close neighbour, India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion, and stability. The country has reiterated its intent to engage constructively with all stakeholders in Bangladesh to that end,” read a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia by the ICT for “crimes against humanity” linked to her Government’s violent crackdown on student-led protests last year. The tribunal described the 78-year-old Awami League leader as the “mastermind and principal architect” of the brutal suppression, which reportedly left hundreds of protesters dead.
Hasina has been living in India since fleeing Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, and was previously declared a fugitive by the court. In a statement from exile, she rejected the verdict, calling the tribunal biased and politically motivated.
She described the death sentence as part of a broader attempt by the interim Government to eliminate the Awami League, and challenged the Government to bring her case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The tribunal found Hasina guilty of ordering the use of deadly force, including helicopters and firearms, against unarmed protesters.
