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The country's previous leader has been given a death sentence for crimes against humanity due to her harsh response on student-led protests which resulted in her forced departure.

Hasina was declared culpable of allowing lethal force to be used against activists, 1,400 of whom lost their lives during the disturbances during 2024.

Legal proceedings were conducted without her presence by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, as she resides in exile in India after being removed from office in July 2024.

The prosecution alleged of being responsible for hundreds of killings during the protests. Hasina has denied every accusation, calling the trial as "biased and politically motivated".

The verdict marks a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over years of repression. Families of those killed and harmed had requested severe punishments.

Reacting to the verdict in a comprehensive declaration, the former leader stated the capital punishment was the caretaker administration's way of "nullifying [her party] the Awami League" as a governing body and that she was satisfied of her government's record on civil liberties.

"I am not afraid to confront those accusing me in a just legal forum where the facts can be assessed and tested fairly."

The capital, Dhaka, where the tribunal took place, was under increased safeguards ahead of the ruling on Monday, with many of Hasina's critics staging a rally and celebrating as the verdict was read.

The city has seen a recent spike in turmoil, with multiple explosives detonated and public transport vehicles burned in the time before the verdict.

A minimum of one detonation was noted in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no casualties reported, regional security representative the authorities' representative informed media outlets.

The protest movement led by students in the previous year started with requests to remove government job quotas but morphed into a more extensive dissent initiative.

United Nations rights examiners declared in an analysis in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could constitute "human rights atrocities".

The report documented the firing at close quarters of a number of activists, the purposeful disabling of others, unjustified apprehensions and abuse.

Disclosed sound files of a call made by the former leader verified by media examinations in previous months suggested she had approved the use of "lethal weapons" in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the proceedings.

Prior to the ruling, relatives of those who died in the demonstrations told news agencies they wanted Hasina to be punished severely.

One relative, whose sibling was killed in July 2024, said he wanted "exemplary punishment" for Hasina and others who have "engaged in retaliatory actions and exploited their positions".

Lucky Akther, whose partner was fatally injured near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted Hasina's sentence to be "implemented before the election".

"Solely at that point the relatives of the deceased [in the protests] will achieve closure in their souls."

After her departure, an temporary leadership headed by economist Muhammad Yunus has assumed control. A general election is set for February 2026.

Nevertheless, the Hasina's political party, her political faction, was prohibited by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

Hasina warned during the past month that if the her faction's nominees were barred from participating in the upcoming election, numerous would avoid the election.

This decision presents a international dilemma for both nations. Dhaka has formally requested her extradition but so far India has shown no willingness to comply.

Her officially designated attorney Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "disappointed and hoping the decision had been otherwise".

"I am unable to challenge because my defendants are not present; which is why I am disheartened," he stated further.

The previous week, Hasina's lawyers said they had submitted an immediate petition to the UN pointing out serious fair trial and legal procedure concerns at the ICT.

Legal proceedings involved Hasina alongside her former home minister and security forces head.

While the sentence provides certain resolution to relatives of the deceased in the protests, it may do little to soothe the country's political divisions.

"The anger against Hasina and the her political party has not diminished," a civil liberties campaigner in Dhaka stated to press agencies. "Both she and the organization has said sorry or displayed repentance for the killings of hundreds of people."

The advocate declared "It makes it difficult for the faction to gain approval by a majority of people in this state."

The advocate continued that the sentence was not closure for the kin of those fatally and non-fatally harmed.

"We support several people who underwent irreversible limb loss, they are amputees now, as a result of the harsh measures. They cannot pardon her."

A journalist, a journalist and a long-time Bangladesh watcher, said the "very nature of the conviction could make it particularly hard" for the political faction to become a regular participant of Bangladeshi politics again.

This may change if "an expression of regret occurs and a disassociation with Hasina and the previous administration," he expressed.