Shiekh Hasina: A critical moment has arrived for former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, with a verdict from a special tribunal on charges of crimes against humanity expected today. Her son and adviser, Sajeeb Wazed, has cautioned the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus that the consequences will be dire if her party, the Awami League, is still prohibited and banned.
Wazed spoke with reporters from Washington, D.C., saying that his mother is “safe in India, given full security” and believes she is facing a predetermined verdict of conviction. “They’re going to convict her … they’ll probably give her the death penalty,” he said.
Wazed stated the Awami League supporters are mobilising throughout Bangladesh. He warned that if the party is still prohibited and not able to run in the next national elections, they will disrupt the elections in February and launch protests, “by any means necessary.”
Political and Security Stakes
Bangladesh is already on high alert. There have been multiple crude bomb explosions in Dhaka and surrounding areas ahead of the judgment; buses have been burned, and demonstrations are increasing. The interim government argues that the trial is open and does not show political favouritism.
Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years until her dismissal amid massive protests in August 2024, is in exile in New Delhi, India. She has previously called the tribunal a “politically motivated charade.”
Why It Matters
The results of the judgment will not just be about one leader; it will tell us if Bangladesh is open to returning to competitive politics or remain in the hands of the interim government, which has been criticised for being increasingly illegitimate. Wazed warned that the outcome of the judgment could trigger not only political instability, but also national instability.
Dhaka’s economy is highly dependent on its garment exports and regional stability, which will take a setback if the protests escalate. For India, hosting Hasina and becoming further entrenched in Bangladesh’s domestic politics has diplomatic implications.
What to look for
- Whether the broadcast is actually live in real-time, as Wazed seems to suspect.
- The tribunal’s official position and sentencing (if any).
- The Awami League grassroots response: Will Wazed’s alerts turn into actual action on the ground?
- The interim government’s response to a boycott of elections or mass mobilisation.
- India’s security angle and diplomatic relationship in the unfolding event.
