Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sentenced in Contempt of Court Case
On 2 July 2025, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-1) in Dhaka sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to six months’ imprisonment in a contempt of court case. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder, delivered the verdict in absentia after Hasina failed to appear despite repeated summons.
The case originated from a leaked telephonic conversation in which Hasina allegedly made remarks interpreted as contemptuous toward the judiciary, claiming she had “a license to kill.” Alongside Hasina, former Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Shakil Akand Bulbul was sentenced to two months in jail.
The tribunal noted that both accused had ignored official notices and failed to provide explanations or attend hearings, prompting the court to proceed with the trial in their absence. Senior advocate A Y Moshiuzzaman was appointed as amicus curiae to ensure the fairness of proceedings.
This ruling marks Hasina’s first conviction since her ouster in August 2024, a dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s shifting political and legal landscape. International and domestic observers view the judgment as a significant moment in the country’s judicial history, with debates continuing over its political and legal implications.
The Judgment of the International Crimes Tribunal, as reported in the Bangladesh Law Times (reference being 33 BLT ICT (2025) 1), is as follows –
Hasina-Contempt-Judgment-ICT_compressed
Compilation of relevant news reports
Prothom Alo – https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/58eno3w75a
Al Jazeera – https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/2/bangladesh-ex-pm-hasina-sentenced-to-six-months-in-contempt-case https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-court-sentences-ex-premier-hasina-in-contempt-case-first-conviction-since-ouster/3619671
The Hindu – https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladeshs-deposed-pm-hasina-sentenced-by-ict-to-six-months-in-contempt-case/article69763767.ece
Dhaka Tribune – https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/court/385362/sheikh-hasina-sentenced-to-6-months-in-prison-by https://www.jagonews24.com/en/national/news/83800
First Post – https://www.firstpost.com/world/bangladesh-international-crimes-tribunal-sentences-sheikh-hasina-to-6-months-in-prison-in-contempt-case-13902342.html
Reuters – https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-ex-pm-hasina-absentia-gets-six-months-jail-contempt-court-2025-07-02/