Al Jazara
روایت خاورمیانه 
Seven associates of Sheikh Hasina (Sheikh Hasina), the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, were sentenced to death on Tuesday in a Dhaka court. These individuals, all members of the Awami League party, were sentenced to this severe punishment for crimes against humanity, including murder and incitement to massacre during the protests of 2024.
Details of the Court Ruling
The death sentences for these seven individuals were issued by a three-member court presided over by Judge Nazrul Islam Chowdhury (Nazrul Islam Chowdhury). Among the accused are Mohammad Ali Arafat (Mohammad Ali Arafat), former Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and Obaidul Quader (Obaidul Quader), Secretary General of the Awami League party. These two were sentenced to death for murder and incitement to massacre during the crackdown on the protests.
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In total, 68 individuals have been sentenced to various punishments in connection with the crackdowns, of which 22 have been sentenced to death. Of these 22, only four are currently in custody.
Reactions and Consequences
Sheikh Hasina, 78, was sentenced to death by hanging last November. She was sentenced for her role in the crackdown on the 2024 protests that led to her fleeing the country. State defense attorney M Hasan Imam (M Hasan Imam) stated that these seven individuals did not directly participate in the killings and could have received lesser punishments than death. He also emphasized that these individuals were condemned solely because of their party affiliations.
Other defendants in this case include AFM Bahauddin Nasim (AFM Bahauddin Nasim), Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash (Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash), Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil (Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil), Saddam Hussain (Saddam Hussain), and Sheikh Wali Asif Enan (Sheikh Wali Asif Enan).
The court also ordered that half of the assets of these five defendants be seized and distributed as compensation to the families of the victims of the crackdowns. According to United Nations reports, up to 1,400 people were killed and thousands more injured during these protests.
Sheikh Hasina has been in exile in India since her flight and has announced her intention to return to Bangladesh by the end of this year.
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