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The country's previous leader has been sentenced to death for atrocities stemming from her crackdown on youth demonstrations which resulted in her forced departure.

Hasina was declared culpable of authorizing deadly measures to be used against activists, among whom around 1,400 people died during the turmoil in the previous year.

Legal proceedings were conducted 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.

The prosecution alleged of being the mastermind of hundreds of killings during the protests. Hasina has denied all charges, describing the process as "biased and politically motivated".

The decision signifies a decisive point for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over years of repression. Families of those killed and harmed had demanded tough penalties.

Answering the judgment in a comprehensive declaration, Hasina said the death penalty was the temporary leadership's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a electoral entity and that she was satisfied of her administration's performance on human rights.

"I am not afraid to confront those accusing me in a fair court where the facts can be assessed and examined justly."

The nation's capital, Dhaka, where the court convened, was under enhanced protection ahead of the verdict on Monday, with several of her detractors staging a rally and applauding as the verdict was read.

The capital witnessed a recent spike in unrest, with numerous incendiary devices set off and public transport vehicles burned in the period preceding the verdict.

A minimum of one detonation was recorded in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no casualties reported, local police official the authorities' representative told media outlets.

The student-led uprising last year commenced through demands to abolish state employment quotas but evolved into a wider anti-government movement.

International human rights monitors said in a report in February that the nearly 1,400 casualties could amount to "crimes against humanity".

The study recorded the firing at close quarters of a number of activists, the purposeful disabling of additional individuals, unwarranted detentions and torture.

Leaked audio of a call made by the former leader confirmed by investigative sources earlier this year suggested she had approved the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the proceedings.

Prior to the ruling, family members of those killed during the protests told press outlets they wanted Hasina to be punished severely.

One relative, whose family member was fatally wounded in July 2024, said he wanted "exemplary punishment" for her and co-accused who have "engaged in retaliatory actions and misused their authority".

Another relative, whose spouse died near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted her penalty to be "carried out before the election".

"Solely at that point the families of those killed [in the protests] will achieve closure in their minds."

Following her removal, an interim government led by economic expert Muhammad Yunus has assumed control. A parliamentary election is scheduled for February 2026.

Nonetheless, the Awami League, her political faction, was banned by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

She alerted in the previous month that if the the League's representatives were barred from participating in the imminent electoral process, countless would abstain the ballot.

The judgment creates a international dilemma for the neighboring countries. Authorities have sought her return but until now India has shown no willingness to comply.

Hasina's state-appointed lawyer her legal counsel said he was "disappointed and hoping the decision had been otherwise".

"I am unable to challenge because my clients are absent; which is why I am disheartened," he stated further.

Recently, the defense attorneys said they had submitted an immediate petition to the UN raising major judicial fairness and judicial process problems at the ICT.

Hasina was tried alongside her previous domestic affairs official and top law enforcement officer.

Although the punishment provides certain resolution to relatives of the deceased in the protests, it may not significantly ease the country's political divisions.

"The anger against the former leader and the Awami League has not decreased," a civil liberties campaigner in Dhaka informed news organizations. "Neither she nor the party has said sorry or demonstrated contrition for the deaths of numerous individuals."

She said "It makes it difficult for the faction to gain approval by a majority of people in this nation."

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

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

An analyst, a journalist and a long-time Bangladesh watcher, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it increasingly challenging" for her party to become a standard element of Bangladeshi politics again.

This might transform if "an expression of regret occurs and a distancing from the former leader and the former hierarchy," he stated.