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Bangladesh's former prime minister has been handed capital punishment for atrocities due to her severe measures on student-led protests which led to her forced departure.

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

Hasina was tried while she was absent by the International Crimes Court in Bangladesh, having been exiled in India after being removed from office in July 2024.

Legal authorities charged her of being responsible for multiple fatalities during the protests. She has refuted all charges, labeling the proceedings as "biased and politically motivated".

This judgment represents a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over long-standing suppression. Families of those killed and injured had demanded severe punishments.

Answering the judgment in a five-page statement, Hasina said the death penalty was the interim government's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a electoral entity and that she was content of her administration's performance on individual freedoms.

"I have no trepidation to confront those accusing me in a fair court where the facts can be assessed and examined justly."

The nation's capital, Dhaka, where the tribunal took place, was under enhanced protection ahead of the decision on Monday, with several of her detractors staging a rally and applauding as the sentence was declared.

Dhaka experienced a sudden increase in disturbances, with multiple explosives detonated and public transport vehicles burned in the period preceding the verdict.

At least one bomb explosion was noted in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no victims identified, regional security representative Jisanul Haque stated to news organizations.

The youth-driven revolt during 2024 started with requests to remove state employment quotas but evolved into a wider anti-government movement.

United Nations rights examiners said in a report in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could constitute "violations of human dignity".

The report documented the firing at close quarters of some protesters, the intentional injuring of further participants, unwarranted detentions and torture.

Unauthorized recordings of a call made by the former leader verified by media examinations during the current year implied she had approved the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the legal process.

Ahead of the verdict, family members of those who died in the demonstrations stated to press outlets they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

A family representative, whose sibling was killed in July 2024, said he wanted "severe penalty" for her and co-accused who have "engaged in retaliatory actions and exploited their positions".

A different family member, whose husband was killed near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted her penalty to be "executed before the election".

"Only then the families of those killed [in the protests] will achieve closure in their souls."

Since Hasina's ousting, an caretaker administration under the guidance of economist Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A national vote is scheduled for February 2026.

However, the Awami League, her political faction, was banned by Bangladesh's caretaker administration in May.

Hasina warned during the past month that if the the League's representatives were banned from standing in the imminent electoral process, numerous would avoid the vote.

The judgment creates a foreign relations issue for both nations. The Bangladesh government has asked her repatriation but until now India has expressed no readiness to acquiesce.

Hasina's state-appointed lawyer Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "disappointed and hoping the verdict had been different".

"I am unable to challenge because my clients are absent; that's why I am disheartened," he added.

Last week, the defense attorneys said they had submitted an immediate petition to the UN pointing out significant due process and legal procedure concerns at the ICT.

The former leader faced trial in conjunction with her ex-interior minister and police chief.

Even though the verdict provides certain resolution to kin of victims in the protests, it may have minimal effect on calming the nation's partisan rifts.

"The anger against Sheikh Hasina and the the former ruling faction has not subsided," a Dhaka-based rights activist told media outlets. "Neither she nor the party has said sorry or displayed repentance for the killings of hundreds of people."

She said "This creates challenges for the faction to gain approval by a majority of people in this country."

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

"We support numerous persons who suffered permanent amputations, they are now disabled, due to the crackdown. They will never be able to forgive her."

David Bergman, a journalist and a long-time Bangladesh watcher, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it increasingly challenging" for the political faction to become a normal feature of Bangladeshi politics again.

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