Immediately after the verdict delivered by International Tribunal Court against the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said the conviction and sentence delivered to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her associates affirm a fundamental principle that no one, regardless of power, is above the law. "Today, the courts of Bangladesh have spoken with a clarity that resonates across the nation and beyond. The conviction and sentencing affirm a fundamental principle: no one, regardless of power, is above the law," he said in a statement issued by his press wing tonight.  This verdict offers vital, if insufficient, justice to the thousands harmed in the uprising of July and August 2024, and to the families who still carry their loss, the Chief Adviser said. "We stand at a moment of rebuilding democratic foundations wrecked by years of oppression. The crimes at issue-the ordering of lethal force against young people and children whose only weapons were their voices-violated both our laws and the basic bond between government and citizens," he added. Prof Yunus said these acts outraged Bangladeshis' core values: dignity, resilience, and commitment to justice. "As many as 1,400 lives were lost. They were not statistics but students, parents, and citizens with rights," he said, adding, months of testimony detailed how lethal force, even from helicopters, was used against unarmed protesters.  "This verdict recognizes their suffering and confirms that our justice system will hold perpetrators accountable," the Chief Adviser said. Noting that Bangladesh is now rejoining global currents of accountability, he said "The students and citizens who stood for change understood this, and many paid with their lives-giving their today for our tomorrow". The path ahead requires not just legal accountability but rebuilding trust between institutions and citizens, Prof Yunus said, adding, understanding why people risk everything for genuine representation-and creating systems worthy of that trust-is essential.  "Today's verdict is a step on that journey," he said. "I have every confidence that Bangladesh will meet the challenges ahead with courage and humility," the Chief Adviser added.  With commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and each person's potential, justice will not merely survive in Bangladesh, Prof Yunus said, adding, "It will prevail and sustain." Earlier, today, the International Crimes Tribunal-1 sentenced Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for the crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. Alongside this, the Tribunal has awarded former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun a "lenient sentence" of five years' imprisonment for making a full disclosure of the events and cooperating with investigators as state approver. 

In an immediate reaction following today’s verdict against Sheikh Hasina, the parents of martyr Abu Sayeed demanded her “immediate execution,” accusing the former prime minister of ordering the killing of their son and many others during the July Uprising. “Sheikh Hasina ordered the killing of my son. I want her hanged,” said Md Mokbul Hossain, father of Abu Sayeed. “For 15 years she carried out enforced disappearances and murders. I want her to face justice on this Bengali soil.” Abu Sayeed’s mother, Most Monwara Begum, said the loss of her son left an irreparable void. “The emptiness created by losing my beloved Abu Sayeed can never be filled. To ensure no other mother endures what I have suffered, the verdict must be implemented without delay,” she said. Abu Sayed was shot dead in Rangpur by police during 2024 mass uprising  “Those who gave the orders, those who opened fire—everyone must be hanged. Many mothers, sisters, and brothers have lost their children and loved ones. Exemplary punishment must be ensured for all involved.” The grieving parents spoke to local reporters at their home in Babanpur village under Pirganj upazila of Rangpur on Monday afternoon, shortly after the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) announced the verdict. As soon as the verdict was declared, an unprecedented scene of jubilation erupted in Babanpur village, across parts of Rangpur, and in many other areas of the country. People brought out celebratory marches and distributed sweets. Mokbul Hossain and Most Monwara Begum, however, stressed that the process should not end with the verdict alone. They demanded that “Sheikh Hasina must be brought back to the country and the sentence carried out swiftly” to deliver justice for their son. The martyr’s family distributed sweets at their home following the verdict. July Warriors and local residents also held processions in various locations, including Begum Rokeya University, Carmichael College, and several areas in Rangpur city. Since the verdict announcement time had been widely known, a festive crowd had gathered at the Sayeed family home from early morning, swelling throughout the day. When the ICT announced its ruling in the afternoon, villagers joined others nationwide in distributing sweets. Abu Sayeed’s brothers, Ramzan Ali and Abu Hossain, handed out sweets to locals, including journalists who had gathered there, as a sense of relief and satisfaction swept through the crowd. Reacting to the verdict, Ramzan Ali said, “We are satisfied, but we urge the interim government to implement the sentence without delay.” He added that the “fascist Awami League regime” had ruled the country through killings and enforced disappearances for more than a decade and a half. “Sheikh Hasina ordered the shooting of students during the anti-discrimination movement. Because of her order, the police killed my brother Abu Sayeed. Thousands of students are still recovering from police bullets.” “Our expectation is not just the verdict. Convicted Sheikh Hasina must be brought back and executed by hanging. Only then will families of martyrs like ours find some peace.” Another brother, Abu Hossain, insisted that justice should extend beyond Sheikh Hasina. “It is not enough to try only her. All those in the Awami League’s fascist apparatus who committed crimes against humanity must be brought to justice. Only then can we ensure fascism never returns to this country.”

Responding sharply from exile after being sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for crimes against humanity during the July Uprising, Sheikh Hasina accused the court of denying her and the Awami League a “fair opportunity to defend themselves.” In remarks carried by Indian broadcaster NDTV, she claimed the verdict exposed “the brazen and murderous intent of extremist elements within an unelected government.” Hasina rejected all charges brought against her. She also accused the ICT and its members of bias, saying its judges and lawyers had "publicly expressed sympathy for the current administration". "For the record, I wholly deny the accusations that have been made against me in the ICT. I mourn all of the deaths that occurred in July and August of last year, on both sides of the political divide. But neither I nor other political leaders ordered the killing of protesters," Sheikh Hasina said. "... I was given no fair chance to defend myself in court, nor even to have lawyers of my own choice represent me in absentia. Despite its name, there is nothing 'international' about the ICT... Nor is it impartial," she said in a statement issued minutes after the verdict, tearing into "rigged" proceedings. Hasina pointed to three incontrovertible facts: Any senior judges, or even senior advocates, who previously expressed sympathy have been removed or intimidated into silence, ICT has exclusively prosecuted members of the Awami League It has done nothing to prosecute or even investigate perpetrators (of violence) from other parties of documented violence against religious minorities and others. "Millions of Bangladeshis toiling under the chaotic, violent, and socially-regressive administration of Dr Mohammad Yunus (the Nobel Peace laureate who heads the interim government) will not be fooled..." "They can see the trials conducted by this so-called ICT were never intended to achieve justice..." she said. "Rather, their purpose was to scapegoat the Awami League (by not prosecuting individuals from other political parties or those currently in power) and distract the world from the failings of Dr Yunus." "All of this is established fact and verified by international media, NGOs, and non-partisan bodies such as the IMF. I wish to add... not a single citizen of Bangladesh has cast a vote for him (Yunus)..." Hasina declared herself unafraid to face her accusers "in a proper tribunal where the evidence can be weighed and tested fairly". "That is why," she said, "I have repeatedly challenged the interim government to bring these charges before the International Criminal Court in The Hague."