Urdu Report Desk
A Bangladesh court has sentenced seven senior leaders of the Awami League to death for their alleged roles in the crackdown on the 2024 student movement.
Those sentenced in absentia include former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat.
Tribunal Convicts Seven Leaders
A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazarul Islam Chowdhury found all seven defendants guilty of crimes against humanity, including murder, incitement to murder and incitement to violence.
The other individuals sentenced to death are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Moinul Haque Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hussain and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
Bangladesh tribunal hands death sentences to seven Awami League leaders over 2024 protest violencehttps://t.co/38DmHwFzmb
— The Telegraph (@ttindia) September 15, 2026
Prosecution Welcomes Verdict
Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam welcomed the ruling and said he was satisfied with the court’s decision.
According to the United Nations, around 1,400 people were killed during the anti-government student movement in Bangladesh in July and August 2024.
The protests ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule. She fled to India by helicopter in August 2024 and remains there.
The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has sentenced Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six others to death over crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 July Uprising. The six others are Mohammad Ali Arafat, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash,… pic.twitter.com/1WTKGXJMmm
— Centrist Nation TV (@centristnattv) September 15, 2026
Compensation Ordered for Victims’ Families
The court also ordered five of the convicted defendants to provide half of their assets as compensation to the families of people who were killed or injured during the protests.
State-appointed defence lawyer M Hassan Imam disagreed with the verdict, arguing that the defendants were not directly involved in the killings and could have received lesser sentences instead of the death penalty.
Death Sentences in Protest-Related Cases
Following the latest ruling, the number of people sentenced in cases related to the 2024 protest movement has risen to 68, including 22 who have received death sentences.
Only four of those sentenced are currently in custody, while Sheikh Hasina has refused to recognize the court’s jurisdiction.
Further Action Against Awami League
Authorities in Bangladesh have also continued taking action against the Awami League.
Police arrested 58 Awami League leaders and activists in Jessore and Munshiganj. In Jessore, 27 people were arrested for allegedly planning subversive activities.
Police said drugs, locally made bomb-like devices and bomb-making materials were recovered during the operation.
In Munshiganj, police detained another 31 Awami League activists who were allegedly preparing to hold a protest rally.
