Bangladesh Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina Handed 21-Year Sentence for Land Grabs Amidst Extradition Battle
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received a 21-year prison sentence in a series of corruption cases related to illegal land allocations. This latest judicial blow comes just a week after she was controversially sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
Illegal Land Acquisition & Court's Ruling
The 78-year-old former leader, currently residing in India, was found guilty by a Dhaka court on Thursday for illicitly acquiring plots of land in a capital suburb for herself and her family, despite their ineligibility. Judge Abdullah Al Mamun stated that Hasina's conduct revealed a "persistent corruption mindset rooted in entitlement, unchecked power, and a greedy eye for public property," accusing her of manipulating official procedures for personal gain.
Consecutive Sentences and Appeals
Each of the three corruption cases brought by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) resulted in a seven-year sentence, to be served consecutively. Furthermore, her children, Sajeeb Wazed and Saima Wazed, were also sentenced to five years in prison in connection with one of these cases. Public prosecutor Khan Moinul Hasan expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating his intent to appeal for the maximum possible sentence.
Adding to Previous Convictions and Ousting
This conviction adds to the severe legal challenges facing Hasina, who was sentenced to death by hanging last week for her role in a deadly crackdown against a 2024 student-led uprising. That uprising ultimately led to her ousting and flight from Bangladesh via helicopter on August 5, 2024, after weeks of protests against her autocratic rule.
Extradition Efforts and Calls for Justice
Hasina continues to defy court orders to return to Bangladesh, with New Delhi currently reviewing Dhaka's extradition request. The emotional toll of her regime's actions remains palpable, as highlighted by Shaina Begum, mother of Sajjat Hosen Sojal, a student killed during the crackdowns. Begum expressed her inability to find peace until Hasina is "brought back and hanged in this country," echoing the sentiments of hundreds of families seeking justice.
Ongoing Legal and Political Landscape
Hasina and her former ruling Awami League party have consistently denounced these trials, while global human rights organizations have raised concerns regarding the fairness and credibility of the judicial process. Additional alleged land-grabbing cases are still pending, with another verdict anticipated on December 1.
Bangladesh is navigating a turbulent political transition under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, with new general elections slated for February 2026. The United Nations reports that up to 1,400 people were killed during crackdowns as Hasina desperately clung to power, underscoring the deep political and social wounds that persist in the nation.