The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh sentenced former PM Sheikh Hasina to death after finding her guilty in the “crimes against humanity” case on Monday for her order to use drones and helicopters to fire on civilian crowds, among other charges.

The court found Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, guilty of working together to commit atrocities on the protesters during the 2024 Bangladesh protests which eventually led to Hasina's ouster.

The court said that the elements constituting crimes against humanity have been fulfilled against Hasina and her two aides. It added that Hasina, in a core committee, passed a motion to allow use of lethal weapons.

Along with Hasina, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was also sentenced to death.

“Accused prime minister Sheikh Hasina committed crimes against humanity by her incitement order and also failure to take preventive and punitive measures under charge 1,” the court said .

“Accused Sheikh Hasina committed one count of crimes against humanity by her order to use drones, helicopters and lethal weapons under charge number 2,” the court added.

Hasina was tried in absentia as she is currently in India in exile after fleeing from Dhaka following the fall of her regime in Bangladesh in 2024. Her co-accused Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal is also in exile, although his location is unknown.

Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was the only accused present in the court on Monday for the verdict reading as he had pleaded guilty in July for his involvement in the uprising in 2024. He will be given a “lenient sentence", said the court, which will be announced at a later date in view of severity of his crimes.

The court said that two accused's abscondence, despite multiple notices sent for appearance, “is admission of their guilt".

Track live updates of Sheikh Hasina court hearing here.