Bangladesh is on the brink of significant political unrest as a Dhaka court prepares to deliver a verdict on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who faces charges of crimes against humanity. The verdict, expected to be televised, could result in a death sentence for Hasina, who has been living in exile in New Delhi since August 2024. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed, has warned that if the ban on her Awami League party is not lifted, supporters will disrupt the upcoming national election in February, potentially escalating into widespread violence. Wazed emphasized that Hasina is safe in India, where she is being treated ‘like a head of state,’ and that the verdict is a ‘foregone conclusion’ due to what he describes as a politically motivated trial. The charges stem from a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024, which a UN report estimated resulted in up to 1,400 deaths and thousands injured. The political climate in Bangladesh has already turned volatile, with multiple crude bomb explosions reported in Dhaka and heightened security measures in place. Wazed has vowed that the Awami League will not allow elections to proceed without their participation, warning of increased protests and potential confrontations. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has yet to comment on the situation. Hasina, who has been credited with transforming Bangladesh’s economy but also accused of rights abuses, remains determined to fight back against what she views as an unjust verdict.
Ahead of Hasina court verdict, son warns of Bangladesh violence if party ban stays
