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Bangladesh's former prime minister has been handed capital punishment for human rights violations stemming from her severe measures on protests led by students which led to her ousting.

The court convicted Sheikh Hasina of allowing lethal force to be used against demonstrators, 1,400 of whom were killed during the unrest in the previous year.

Legal proceedings were conducted in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, since she went into exile in India after being removed from office in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being behind multiple fatalities during the protests. She has refuted all charges, describing the process as "unfair and agenda-driven".

The verdict marks a decisive point for Bangladesh, as the protests revealed fury over years of repression. Relatives of the deceased and injured had demanded tough penalties.

Answering the judgment in a five-page statement, the former leader stated the death penalty was the temporary leadership's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a governing body and that she was satisfied of her administration's performance on human rights.

"I am not afraid to meet my challengers in a proper tribunal where the evidence can be weighed and reviewed impartially."

Bangladesh's main city, Dhaka, where the court convened, was under tightened security before the decision on Monday, with numerous opponents of Hasina organizing a demonstration and applauding as the verdict was read.

Dhaka experienced a recent spike in disturbances, with dozens of bombs exploded and public transport vehicles burned in the days leading up to the verdict.

At least one bomb explosion was reported in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no victims identified, local police official the authorities' representative told news organizations.

The protest movement led by students in the previous year started with calls to eliminate public sector reservation policies but transformed into a broader opposition campaign.

International human rights monitors stated in a document in February that the approximately 1,400 deaths could constitute "crimes against humanity".

The study recorded the firing at close quarters of certain demonstrators, the purposeful disabling of further participants, arbitrary arrests and abuse.

Unauthorized recordings of a telephone conversation involving Hasina confirmed by media examinations in previous months suggested she had authorized the use of "fatal instruments" in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the trial.

Ahead of the verdict, relatives of those killed during the protests informed press outlets they wanted the former leader to face strict penalties.

A family representative, whose family member was fatally wounded in July 2024, said he wanted "exemplary punishment" for her and co-accused who have "committed acts of vengeance and exploited their positions".

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

"Exclusively thereafter the relatives of the deceased [in the protests] will achieve closure in their hearts."

Following her removal, an temporary leadership under the guidance of economic expert Muhammad Yunus has assumed control. A parliamentary election is scheduled for February 2026.

Nevertheless, the Hasina's political party, the former ruling party, was outlawed by Bangladesh's temporary leadership in May.

She alerted in the previous month that if the the League's representatives were prohibited from running in the imminent electoral process, millions would boycott the vote.

This decision presents a diplomatic challenge for the neighboring countries. Authorities have sought her return but to date India has shown no willingness to comply.

Her officially designated attorney Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "sad [and wishes] the outcome had varied".

"I cannot even contest because my defendants are not present; that's why I am disappointed," he added.

The previous week, her legal team said they had lodged a prompt application to the UN highlighting serious fair trial and due process issues at the ICT.

Hasina was tried in conjunction with her ex-interior minister and police chief.

Even though the verdict offers some closure to kin of victims in the protests, it may do little to soothe the nation's partisan rifts.

"The fury directed at Sheikh Hasina and the the former ruling faction has not decreased," a civil liberties campaigner in Dhaka stated to news organizations. "The leader and her faction has expressed regret or demonstrated contrition for the fatalities of countless citizens."

The activist stated "This creates challenges for the organization to receive endorsement by a majority of people in this state."

The campaigner further stated that the punishment was not closure for the families of those who died and were wounded.

"We work with several people who suffered permanent amputations, they are currently without limbs, as a result of the harsh measures. They will never be able to forgive her."

David Bergman, an observer of Bangladeshi affairs, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it increasingly challenging" for her party to become a standard element of Bangladeshi politics again.

This might transform if "there is some kind of apology and a distancing from Hasina and the old leadership," he said.