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The country's previous leader has been given a death sentence for human rights violations stemming from her severe measures on student-led protests which caused her forced departure.

Sheikh Hasina was found guilty of permitting fatal actions to be used against activists, among whom around 1,400 people died during the disturbances during 2024.

The trial proceeded 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 multiple fatalities during the protests. The former leader rejected all charges, describing the process as "unfair and agenda-driven".

The decision signifies a decisive point for Bangladesh, as the protests unleashed anger over extended periods of oppression. Next of kin of victims and injured had demanded severe punishments.

Answering the judgment in a detailed document, Hasina said the death penalty was the temporary leadership's way of "eradicating the Awami League" as a electoral entity and that she was satisfied of her administration's performance on individual freedoms.

"I do not fear to confront those accusing me in a just legal forum where the evidence can be weighed and reviewed impartially."

Bangladesh's main city, Dhaka, where the legal proceedings occurred, was under increased safeguards before the ruling on Monday, with many of Hasina's critics holding a protest and celebrating as the judgment was announced.

The capital witnessed a sudden increase in unrest, with multiple explosives detonated and coaches ignited in the period preceding the verdict.

At least one bomb explosion was reported in Dhaka on Monday morning, with no casualties reported, regional security representative the police spokesperson informed press agencies.

The protest movement led by students last year started with requests to remove public sector reservation policies but evolved into a wider anti-government movement.

UN human rights investigators stated in a document in February that the nearly 1,400 casualties could constitute "human rights atrocities".

The paper detailed the shooting at point-blank range of a number of activists, the intentional injuring of others, arbitrary arrests and mistreatment.

Leaked audio of a telephone conversation involving Hasina confirmed by external reviews in previous months indicated she had authorized the use of "deadly arms" in July 2024. The recording was presented in court during the legal process.

Before the decision, relatives of those who died in the demonstrations told news agencies they wanted strict consequences for Hasina.

A family representative, whose brother was shot dead in July 2024, said he wanted "strict sentence" for her and co-accused who have "performed revengeful deeds and exploited their positions".

Lucky Akther, whose partner was fatally injured near Dhaka in August 2024, said she wanted her penalty to be "executed before the election".

"Only then the families of those killed [in the protests] will achieve closure in their minds."

Following her removal, an temporary leadership under the guidance of economist Muhammad Yunus has assumed power. A general election is set for February 2026.

However, the her former political organization, the former ruling party, was prohibited by Bangladesh's interim government in May.

The former leader cautioned during the past month that if the her faction's nominees were banned from standing in the imminent electoral process, countless would abstain the vote.

This decision presents a foreign relations issue for both nations. Authorities have sought her repatriation but to date India has shown no willingness to comply.

The legal representative assigned to her her legal counsel said he was "sad [and wishes] the outcome had varied".

"I cannot even contest because my defendants are not present; that's why I am disappointed," he stated further.

The previous week, her legal team said they had filed an urgent appeal to the UN raising serious fair trial and judicial process problems at the ICT.

Legal proceedings involved Hasina together with her previous domestic affairs official and police chief.

Even though the verdict offers some closure to kin of victims in the protests, it may not significantly ease the country's political divisions.

"The resentment towards Hasina and the Awami League has not subsided," a civil liberties campaigner in Dhaka told news organizations. "The leader and her faction has expressed regret or displayed repentance for the deaths of numerous individuals."

The activist stated "This complicates matters for the faction to gain approval by a most citizens in this state."

The campaigner further stated that the penalty was not resolution for the kin of those killed and injured.

"We assist numerous persons who lost their limbs forever, they are amputees now, as a result of the harsh measures. They cannot pardon her."

An analyst, an observer of Bangladeshi affairs, said the "fundamental aspect of the condemnation could make it increasingly challenging" for the political faction to become a standard element of the nation's political landscape again.

This may change if "an expression of regret occurs and a separation from Hasina and the previous administration," he expressed.