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The ex-prime minister of Bangladesh has been given a death sentence for crimes against humanity over her crackdown on youth demonstrations which led to her ousting.

The court convicted Sheikh Hasina of allowing lethal force to be used against protesters, 1,400 of whom lost their lives during the disturbances in the previous year.

Hasina was tried without her presence by the International Crimes Court in Bangladesh, as she resides in exile in India since she was forced from power in July 2024.

Prosecutors accused her of being behind multiple fatalities during the protests. Hasina has denied every accusation, calling the trial as "biased and politically motivated".

The decision signifies a critical juncture for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over long-standing suppression. Families of those killed and harmed had demanded tough penalties.

Responding to the decision in a five-page statement, Hasina said the execution sentence was the interim government's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a electoral entity and that she was proud of her administration's performance on individual freedoms.

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

The nation's capital, Dhaka, where the court convened, was under enhanced protection before the decision on Monday, with many of Hasina's critics staging a rally and celebrating as the verdict was read.

Dhaka experienced a sudden increase in disturbances, with multiple explosives detonated and public transport vehicles burned in the time before the verdict.

A minimum of one detonation was recorded in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no casualties reported, regional security representative the police spokesperson informed media outlets.

The youth-driven revolt last year commenced through calls to eliminate public sector reservation policies but transformed into a more extensive dissent initiative.

International human rights monitors declared in an analysis in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could amount to "violations of human dignity".

The paper detailed the gunfire from minimal distance of certain demonstrators, the intentional injuring of further participants, arbitrary arrests and torture.

Disclosed sound files of a call made by the former leader confirmed by media examinations during the current year suggested she had authorized the use of "lethal weapons" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the proceedings.

Ahead of the verdict, relatives of those killed during the protests informed press outlets they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

Ramjan Ali, whose brother was shot dead in July 2024, said he wanted "severe penalty" for her and co-accused who have "performed revengeful deeds and exploited their positions".

A different family member, whose spouse died near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted Hasina's sentence to be "carried out before the election".

"Exclusively thereafter the relatives of the deceased [in the protests] will obtain solace in their hearts."

Following her removal, an temporary leadership under the guidance of economist Muhammad Yunus has taken charge. A general election is planned for February 2026.

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

She alerted in the previous month that if the her faction's nominees were banned from standing in the imminent electoral process, numerous would avoid the vote.

The verdict now poses a diplomatic challenge for both nations. Dhaka has formally requested her return but until now India has shown no willingness to agree.

Her officially designated attorney her legal counsel said he was "sad [and wishes] the decision had been otherwise".

"I am unable to challenge because my clients are absent; that's why I am disappointed," he added.

Last week, the defense attorneys said they had filed an urgent appeal to the UN pointing out major judicial fairness and due process issues at the ICT.

The former leader faced trial together with her ex-interior minister and top law enforcement officer.

Although the punishment grants partial finality to kin of victims in the protests, it may have minimal effect on calming the country's political divisions.

"The anger against Hasina and the the former ruling faction has not decreased," a human rights advocate from the capital told news organizations. "The leader and her faction has said sorry or demonstrated contrition for the fatalities of countless citizens."

She said "This complicates matters for the faction to gain approval by a most citizens in this nation."

The activist added that the punishment was not finality for the relatives of those killed and injured.

"We support several people who underwent irreversible limb loss, they are amputees now, as a result of the harsh measures. They will never be able to forgive her."

An analyst, an observer of Bangladeshi affairs, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it particularly hard" for her party to become a standard element of the nation's political landscape again.

This could alter if "there is some kind of apology and a distancing from Sheikh Hasina and the previous administration," he stated.