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The country's previous leader has been handed capital punishment for crimes against humanity over her severe measures on protests led by students which caused her ousting.

Hasina was declared culpable of permitting fatal actions to be used against activists, 1,400 of whom lost their lives during the disturbances last year.

Hasina was tried without her presence by the International Crimes Court in Bangladesh, since she went into exile in India after being removed from office in July 2024.

The prosecution alleged of being responsible for multiple fatalities during the protests. The former leader rejected the entire case, labeling the proceedings as "prejudiced and driven by politics".

The verdict marks a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over years of repression. Relatives of the deceased and injured had called for strict sentences.

Answering the judgment in a comprehensive declaration, Hasina said the death penalty was the interim government's way of "nullifying [her party] the Awami League" as a electoral entity and that she was proud of her government's record on civil liberties.

"I have no trepidation to confront those accusing me in a just legal forum where the proof can be evaluated and tested fairly."

The nation's capital, Dhaka, where the tribunal took place, was under increased safeguards prior to the ruling on Monday, with several of her detractors staging a rally and cheering as the judgment was announced.

The city has seen a recent spike in disturbances, with numerous incendiary devices set off and coaches ignited in the days leading up to the verdict.

At least one bomb explosion was noted in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no victims identified, area law enforcement officer Jisanul Haque informed media outlets.

The student-led uprising during 2024 began with demands to abolish public sector reservation policies but evolved into a wider anti-government movement.

UN human rights investigators said in a report in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could represent "violations of human dignity".

The study recorded the firing at close quarters of certain demonstrators, the intentional injuring of additional individuals, unwarranted detentions and abuse.

Leaked audio of a telephone conversation involving Hasina verified by media examinations in previous months implied she had authorized the use of "lethal weapons" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the trial.

Before the decision, relatives of those fatally injured in the unrest informed media representatives they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

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

Lucky Akther, whose husband was killed near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted the former leader's punishment to be "carried out before the election".

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

Following her removal, an interim government headed by economist Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A national vote is set for February 2026.

However, the Awami League, the former ruling party, was outlawed by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

The former leader cautioned last month that if the party's candidates were prohibited from running in the upcoming election, countless would abstain the ballot.

The verdict now poses a international dilemma for India and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has asked her return but to date India has shown no willingness to comply.

Her officially designated attorney the defense lawyer said he was "disappointed and hoping the verdict had been different".

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

Recently, her legal team said they had submitted an immediate petition to the UN pointing out major judicial fairness and judicial process problems at the ICT.

Legal proceedings involved Hasina in conjunction with her former home minister and police chief.

Although the punishment offers some closure to families of killed in the protests, it may not significantly ease the nation's partisan rifts.

"The anger against Sheikh Hasina and the her political party has not diminished," a civil liberties campaigner in Dhaka stated to media outlets. "Both she and the organization has expressed regret or displayed repentance for the fatalities of countless citizens."

The advocate declared "This complicates matters for the faction to gain approval by a majority of people in this state."

The campaigner further stated that the penalty was not finality for the families of those killed and injured.

"We assist several people who suffered permanent amputations, they are currently without limbs, due to the crackdown. They cannot pardon her."

An analyst, a commentator on the nation's politics, 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 "there is some kind of apology and a separation from Hasina and the old leadership," he stated.