Bangladesh has formally requested the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, its former prime minister, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity related to her government’s crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The official request was made on November 21, though an informal request was submitted a year earlier, in December 2024.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) recently convicted Hasina in absentia for ordering lethal force that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 protesters.

Hasina, who has been living in India since her ousting on August 5, 2024, was found guilty of three charges: incitement to violence, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities during the protests. The protests, which began over government job quotas, quickly expanded into broader anti-government demonstrations that saw the use of deadly force by Hasina’s administration.

The verdict has sparked diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and India. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has called for Hasina’s extradition to face the death sentence, but India has shown no sign of complying with the request.

The Indian government granted Hasina asylum in the aftermath of her ousting, citing humanitarian concerns, and has not taken steps to address the extradition request.

While the death sentence has been welcomed by many in Bangladesh, especially the families of those killed in the protests, the political ramifications of the verdict are far-reaching. The Awami League, Hasina’s political party, was banned in May 2024, and parliamentary elections in Bangladesh are scheduled for February 2026. The interim government’s handling of Hasina’s case is likely to be a central issue in the lead-up to the elections.

The United Nations has acknowledged the significance of the verdict for the victims of the 2024 protests but also expressed opposition to the death penalty. Human rights groups have documented widespread abuse and violence during the protests, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and the use of military-grade weapons.

In a statement, Hasina rejected the charges, calling the trial politically motivated, and emphasized her readiness to face a proper tribunal where the evidence could be fairly tested. However, her legal team has raised concerns about the fairness of the trial and has filed an appeal with the United Nations, calling for the charges to be brought before the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

As tensions continue to mount in Dhaka, with sporadic violence reported in the capital, the diplomatic standoff between Bangladesh and India is set to remain a sensitive issue in the coming months.