A special tribunal in Bangladesh has handed down death sentences to seven senior leaders of the former Awami League party for their involvement in the violent suppression of the 2024 student-led uprising. Among those convicted in absentia are high-profile figures, including former minister Mohammad Ali Arafat and ex-general secretary Obaidul Quader. Presided over by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, the court found the men guilty of crimes against humanity, specifically citing their roles in inciting and orchestrating the killings that claimed roughly 1,400 lives during the summer of 2024.

While prosecutors have lauded the verdict, defense counsel M. Hasan Imam argued that the sentences were disproportionate, claiming the accused were not directly responsible for the murders but were held liable for the actions of their supporters. In addition to the capital punishment, the court mandated that half of the assets belonging to five of the defendants be seized to provide compensation for the families of the victims. This ruling marks a significant escalation in the legal aftermath of the uprising, bringing the total number of convictions related to the protests to 68, as the nation continues to navigate the political fallout following Sheikh Hasina’s departure.