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The country's previous leader has been handed capital punishment for human rights violations over her crackdown on student-led protests which caused her ousting.

Sheikh Hasina was found guilty of authorizing deadly measures to be used against protesters, among whom around 1,400 people lost their lives during the disturbances in the previous year.

Hasina was tried while she was absent by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, as she resides in exile in India since she was forced from power in July 2024.

The prosecution alleged of being the mastermind of numerous deaths during the protests. She has refuted every accusation, describing the process as "biased and politically motivated".

The verdict marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, as the protests revealed fury over years of repression. Next of kin of victims and wounded had requested tough penalties.

Reacting to the verdict in a detailed document, the former leader stated the capital punishment was the interim government's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a political force and that she was proud of her government's record on human rights.

"I do not fear to face my accusers in a proper tribunal where the proof can be evaluated and examined justly."

The nation's capital, Dhaka, where the tribunal took place, was under increased safeguards ahead of the ruling on Monday, with several of her detractors organizing a demonstration and cheering as the verdict was read.

The capital witnessed a recent spike in turmoil, with multiple explosives detonated and public transport vehicles burned in the days leading up to the verdict.

One explosive incident was reported in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no victims identified, area law enforcement officer the authorities' representative told media outlets.

The protest movement led by students last year started with calls to eliminate government job quotas but evolved into a more extensive dissent initiative.

United Nations rights examiners stated in a document in February that the around 1,400 fatalities could constitute "violations of human dignity".

The paper detailed the shooting at point-blank range of some protesters, the deliberate maiming of others, unjustified apprehensions and abuse.

Unauthorized recordings of one of Hasina's phone calls confirmed by media examinations in previous months implied she had sanctioned the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the legal process.

Prior to the ruling, kin of those killed during the protests stated to news agencies they wanted Hasina to be punished severely.

A family representative, whose sibling was killed in July 2024, said he wanted "strict sentence" for her and co-accused who have "committed acts of vengeance and misused their authority".

Lucky Akther, whose partner was fatally injured near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted the former leader's punishment to be "executed before the election".

"Only then the kin of victims [in the protests] will find peace in their hearts."

Since Hasina's ousting, an caretaker administration led by economist Muhammad Yunus has assumed power. A parliamentary election is set for February 2026.

However, the Hasina's political party, her political faction, was banned by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

The former leader cautioned last month that if the party's candidates were banned from standing in the imminent electoral process, countless would abstain the election.

The judgment creates a international dilemma for the neighboring countries. Dhaka has formally requested her return but to date India has demonstrated no inclination to acquiesce.

Her officially designated attorney Mohammad Amir Hossain said he was "sad [and wishes] the decision had been otherwise".

"I am unable to challenge because my represented individuals are away; that's why I am sad," he stated further.

Recently, the defense attorneys said they had lodged a prompt application to the UN raising major judicial fairness and due process issues at the ICT.

The former leader faced trial in conjunction with her previous domestic affairs official and top law enforcement officer.

Although the punishment provides certain resolution to families of killed in the protests, it may not significantly ease the country's political divisions.

"The resentment towards Hasina and the the former ruling faction has not diminished," a human rights advocate from the capital informed media outlets. "Neither she nor the party has apologised or demonstrated contrition for the fatalities of countless citizens."

She said "This complicates matters for the faction to gain approval by a majority of people in this nation."

The campaigner further stated that the punishment was not closure for the families of those fatally and non-fatally harmed.

"We support several people who underwent irreversible limb loss, they are amputees now, due to the crackdown. They will never be able to forgive her."

An analyst, a commentator on the nation's politics, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it even more difficult" for her party to become a normal feature of the country's governance system again.

This may change if "there is some kind of apology and a separation from Sheikh Hasina and the previous administration," he stated.