Bangladesh ex-PM Hasina loses right to appeal death sentence

September 8, 2026 at 04:25 AM1 min

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Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has lost the right to appeal her death sentence after failing to file within the mandatory 30-day deadline. Prosecutor Aminul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal said the sentence can now proceed to execution. The government retains the power to suspend or commute the punishment.

Key Facts

Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 for responsibility in deaths during the 2024 protests.
Prosecutor Aminul Islam said convicts who did not appeal within 30 days of sentencing lose the right to appeal.
Hasina fled to India by military helicopter in July 2024 as protesters stormed the prime minister's residence.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party came to power in elections held on 12 February 2026.

Appeal Deadline Expires

Prosecutor Aminul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal told reporters that Sheikh Hasina and other convicts failed to file appeals within the mandatory 30-day period. He said no additional opportunity for appeal will be granted, and the only remaining step is execution of the sentence. Islam added that the government has the absolute and natural right to suspend or commute any punishment.

Hasina's Conviction and Exile

Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 for personal responsibility in deaths during the student-led protests that began in July 2024. She also received additional prison terms on corruption charges. As unrest escalated in July 2024, Hasina left her residence on a military helicopter for India while demonstrators stormed the prime minister's residence. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as head of the interim government on 8 August 2024.