Bangladesh has once again been thrust into international headlines after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The ruling, delivered on Monday, accuses her of crimes against humanity during last year’s student uprising—charges she vehemently denies.
While the verdict itself is historic, the reaction it has provoked is even more profound. Among the strongest voices is exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen, who questions the selective branding of “criminals” in the country’s justice system.

Hasina’s Charges and the Tribunal’s Logic

The ICT found Hasina guilty on three major counts:

1. Inciting violence,
2. Ordering the killing of protesters, and
3. Failing to prevent atrocities committed during the student-led uprising.

Once a dominant figure who ruled Bangladesh for 15 consecutive years, Hasina has been living in exile in New Delhi since fleeing the country in August 2024. Following the verdict, she condemned the ruling as “politically motivated” and the tribunal as “illegitimate”.

Taslima Nasreen’s Critique — A Question of Selective Justice

Taslima Nasreen, who has remained in exile in India since 1994, wasted no time in expressing her disbelief at the ruling.
In a strongly worded post on X, she argued that the same actions for which Hasina is being punished were committed by the very forces now ruling the nation.

According to Nasreen:
“When Yunus and the jihadi forces commit violence, they call it justice. When Hasina does the same, they label it a crime.”

She demanded to know why those who allegedly ordered violence during the transitional period—including Nobel laureate and current Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus—are not facing trial.

Why Yunus Is in the Line of Fire

Though respected globally for pioneering microcredit and microfinance, Yunus has emerged as a divisive figure in Bangladesh’s present political landscape.
Nasreen accuses him of—

encouraging violence during the anti-Hasina movement,

suppressing dissent,

and using state power to silence critics.

She has even demanded the revocation of his Nobel Peace Prize.

The ICT Ruling and Its Political Consequences

The tribunal also handed former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan the death penalty and gave former IGP Abdullah Al-Mamun a five-year sentence after he turned state witness.

With parliamentary elections just months away, this verdict dramatically alters the political ground. Hasina’s party, the Awami League, is barred from contesting the polls, giving Yunus and his interim administration a clear upper hand.

Analysts warn this may spark unrest, potentially deepening the instability triggered by the uprising that ousted Hasina.

A Divided Nation and an Uncertain Future

As the dust settles, Bangladesh appears sharply divided.
Hasina calls the trial a “farce”, while Yunus celebrates it as a triumph for accountability.
Meanwhile, Taslima’s voice echoes a broader concern among many Bangladeshis:

“Is justice truly being served, or is this merely the victory of one political faction over another?”

Her question strikes at the heart of Bangladesh’s crisis — who decides guilt, and who decides innocence?
Until that question finds a fair answer, the nation’s democratic credibility will remain in question.