In a dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s ongoing political crisis, a Dhaka court on Thursday sentenced ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to 21 years in prison on corruption charges. The verdict arrives just one week after another court handed her the death penalty for crimes against humanity, intensifying the turbulence surrounding the country’s fractured political landscape.
Hasina, 78, who has been residing in India since her ouster, has repeatedly defied orders to return to Bangladesh. The most recent conviction stems from three corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), alleging she unlawfully acquired prime real estate in a lucrative Dhaka suburb for herself and close relatives.
Judge Abdullah Al Mamun delivered a sharply worded ruling, stating that Hasina’s actions revealed “a persistent corruption mindset rooted in entitlement, unchecked power, and a greedy eye for public property.” The court detailed how she allegedly treated state-owned land as personal property, manipulating government processes to benefit her inner circle.
Her children — US-based Sajeeb Wazed and Saima Wazed, a high-level UN official — were also sentenced to five years each in connection with the case.
Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, reportedly via helicopter, following weeks of massive student-led protests against what critics described as her increasingly authoritarian rule. The unrest ultimately forced her from office, marking a historic turning point in the nation’s politics.
Public prosecutor Khan Moinul Hasan expressed dissatisfaction with the latest verdict, noting that the prosecution had sought harsher penalties. He confirmed that his team will consult with the ACC to determine their next steps.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh remains deeply divided. The UN reports that up to 1,400 people were killed during government crackdowns in Hasina’s final months in power. With elections scheduled for February 2026, the country’s political climate remains volatile.
Hasina, for her part, has denounced the verdicts against her — including the death sentence issued in absentia on November 17 — as “biased and politically motivated.” She continues to face additional corruption charges alongside her sister Sheikh Rehana and other family members, including British MP Tulip Siddiq.
In moments like these, beyond politics and power, lies a reminder of the profound human cost of leadership gone astray. Every headline, every verdict, and every protest reflects real people, real pain, and a shared hope for justice and stability. History will judge leaders by more than their titles — it will judge them by the impact they leave on the lives of those they once led.
