Controversial remark in phone recording leads to landmark verdict by war crimes tribunal
DHAKA: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in self-exile, has been sentenced to six months in prison by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a contempt of court case linked to a leaked phone call, officials confirmed Wednesday.
This marks the first formal conviction against Hasina since she fled to India following a wave of deadly student-led protests in August that led to her government’s collapse.
Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam told reporters that the tribunal — led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder — handed down the verdict in absentia, adding that the sentence will take effect upon Hasina’s arrest or voluntary surrender.
Leaked Audio Sparks Legal Fallout
The charges stem from an audio recording leaked online in which Hasina allegedly says:
“There are 227 cases against me, so I now have a licence to kill 227 people.”
A government forensic report later confirmed the voice in the audio was Hasina’s, triggering outrage and legal action.
In the same case, Shakil Akand Bulbul, a leader of the banned Chhatra League — the student wing of Hasina’s Awami League — was sentenced to two months in jail for contempt.
Tribunal Once Created by Hasina Now Tries Her
Ironically, the International Crimes Tribunal was established in 2010 by Hasina’s own government to investigate war crimes from Bangladesh’s 1971 liberation war. Today, it is prosecuting her under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who came to power after the mass protests.
The tribunal has already issued three arrest warrants against Hasina, including for alleged crimes against humanity tied to the crackdown on last year’s protests.
Awami League Remains Banned
The Awami League, once Bangladesh’s ruling party, remains banned, and several of its former leaders are under investigation for corruption, abuse of power, and rights violations.
Supporters of Hasina claim the charges are politically motivated, aimed at silencing the opposition. However, the interim government maintains the trials are necessary for restoring public trust, ensuring accountability, and rebuilding Bangladesh’s democratic institutions.
