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The country's previous leader has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity stemming from her harsh response on youth demonstrations which resulted in her removal from power.

Hasina was declared culpable of permitting fatal actions to be used against protesters, 1,400 of whom were killed during the unrest last year.

The trial proceeded in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, as she resides in exile in India since she was forced from power in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being behind multiple fatalities during the protests. Hasina has denied the entire case, labeling the proceedings as "prejudiced and driven by politics".

This judgment represents a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the protests revealed fury over extended periods of oppression. Next of kin of victims and wounded had requested tough penalties.

Answering the judgment in a detailed document, Hasina said the capital punishment was the caretaker administration's way of "nullifying [her party] the Awami League" as a electoral entity and that she was proud of her leadership's history on civil liberties.

"I have no trepidation to face my accusers in a proper tribunal where the facts can be assessed and reviewed impartially."

The capital, Dhaka, where the legal proceedings occurred, was under tightened security prior to the decision on Monday, with several of her detractors organizing a demonstration and applauding as the sentence was declared.

The capital witnessed a sudden increase in turmoil, with numerous incendiary devices set off and buses set on fire in the period preceding the verdict.

A minimum of one detonation was recorded in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no casualties reported, local police official the police spokesperson informed media outlets.

The protest movement led by students during 2024 commenced through requests to remove government job quotas but transformed into a wider anti-government movement.

UN human rights investigators stated in a document in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could represent "human rights atrocities".

The paper detailed the firing at close quarters of certain demonstrators, the purposeful disabling of others, arbitrary arrests and abuse.

Disclosed sound files of a call made by the former leader authenticated by media examinations in previous months implied she had approved the use of "fatal instruments" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the trial.

Prior to the ruling, kin of those fatally injured in the unrest stated to media representatives they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

Ramjan Ali, whose family member was fatally wounded in July 2024, said he wanted "strict sentence" for Hasina and others who have "engaged in retaliatory actions and abused their power".

A different family member, whose husband was killed near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted Hasina's sentence to be "carried out before the election".

"Solely at that point the families of those killed [in the protests] will find peace in their souls."

Following her removal, an caretaker administration headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has assumed control. A national vote is set for February 2026.

Nonetheless, the her former political organization, the former ruling party, was prohibited by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

She alerted in the previous month that if the the League's representatives were banned from standing in the imminent electoral process, numerous would avoid the vote.

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

The legal representative assigned to her the defense lawyer said he was "unhappy and desiring the verdict had been different".

"I cannot even contest because my clients are absent; for that reason I am sad," he added.

The previous week, the defense attorneys said they had filed an urgent appeal to the UN pointing out major judicial fairness and legal procedure concerns at the ICT.

Hasina was tried in conjunction with her former home minister and top law enforcement officer.

Although the punishment offers some closure to families of killed in the protests, it may have minimal effect on calming the country's political divisions.

"The anger against Hasina and the her political party has not diminished," a Dhaka-based rights activist stated to press agencies. "Neither she nor the party has apologised or displayed repentance for the killings of hundreds of people."

The activist stated "It makes it difficult for the party to be accepted by a bulk of the population in this nation."

The advocate continued that the penalty was not resolution for the kin of those who died and were wounded.

"We work with numerous persons who suffered permanent amputations, they are now disabled, because of the suppression. They will never be able to forgive her."

An analyst, a commentator on the nation's politics, said the "inherent character of the guilty verdict could make it even more difficult" for her party to become a normal feature of Bangladeshi politics again.

This may change if "there is some kind of apology and a separation from the former leader and the old leadership," he stated.