Former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court — International Crimes Tribunal

Former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to six months in jail for contempt of court — International Crimes Tribunal

[Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 2, 2025] — Bangladesh’s deposed Prime Minister and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment by International Crimes Tribunal–1 in a contempt of court case. This marks the first sentence issued against her since the mass uprising that took place in July.

In the same case, co-accused Shakil Akand Bulbul from Gaibandha has been sentenced to two months of simple imprisonment.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal, Barrister Tazul Islam, stated, “The sentence will be effective from the day Sheikh Hasina either surrenders or is arrested by law enforcement.”

According to the case background, a controversial audio clip allegedly of Sheikh Hasina recently circulated on social media, in which she is heard saying: “I’ve got the license to kill 227 people.” Based on this, the Chief Prosecutor filed a contempt of court charge.

Tazul Islam claimed the audio was not AI-generated. “After reviewing the CID’s forensic report and hearing arguments from all sides, the court concluded that through this statement, Sheikh Hasina publicly threatened the plaintiffs, witnesses, and investigators involved in her ongoing trial. This constitutes a serious offense under the International Crimes Tribunal Act, as it seeks to intimidate and obstruct the judicial process,” said the prosecutor.

He further added, “Especially when state officials involved in investigations are intimidated, the entire justice process is endangered. Therefore, the court imposed this sentence for her contemptuous conduct.”

The verdict has sparked fresh debate in the country’s political arena. The Awami League has yet to issue an official response.