Khaberni - The Public Prosecution in Bangladesh -on Thursday- demanded the death penalty for the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina (78 years old), who is being tried in absentia for issuing orders to suppress demonstrations that led to her downfall in 2024.
The Attorney General Taj al-Islam stated during the session, "We demand the maximum punishment, the death penalty is the rule in simple murder cases, but for 1400 murders, she deserves the death penalty 1400 times."
He added that she is "a seasoned criminal who has shown no remorse for her brutality," condemning the defendant whose "sole aim was to perpetuate her stay in power."
Taj al-Islam also demanded the execution of the former Minister of Interior, Asaduzzaman Khan, due to the enormity of his crimes.
The court in the capital, Dhaka, is expected to issue its judgment on the five charges against her, related to crimes against humanity, in the coming weeks.
Hundreds of people, including students, security officials, and political activists, were killed due to the violence during the protests in July/August 2024, which lasted for weeks.
Sheikh Hasina ruled the country unchallenged for 15 years (2009-2024), before being forced to step down in August 2024 following anti-government demonstrations sparked by student protests.
The former Prime Minister now lives in exile in neighboring India since her ousting, and Bangladeshi courts have issued several arrest warrants for Sheikh Hasina, but India has so far refused to execute them.
And the "Awami League" party, led by Hasina, in a statement issued in June at the beginning of the trial, condemned this "mock trial" and "categorically denied" all the charges against her.
