Bangladesh Braces for Tense Verdict on Sheikh Hasina, as Government and Opposition Engage in Showdown

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Bangladesh is on high alert as a special tribunal prepares to deliver a verdict on ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is facing charges of crimes against humanity for her role in last year's deadly crackdown on student-led protests. The protests, which left hundreds dead, ended Hasina's 15-year rule in August 2024. She has been in exile in India since then and has not been seen in public or online. The government and opposition are locked in a standoff, with the Awami League party, led by Hasina, calling for a nationwide 'lockdown' to protest her trial. The party has urged its supporters to take to the streets, while the government has vowed to stop them. As a result, classes and transportation in major cities, including Dhaka, have been severely disrupted. The trial has been marked by controversy, with the Awami League calling the special tribunal a 'kangaroo court.' Hasina has not appointed a lawyer and has denounced the appointment of a state-appointed lawyer to represent her. The chief prosecutor, Tajul Islam, has sought the death penalty for Hasina, who is being tried in absentia. The country has a history of political violence, and the situation is expected to remain tense in the coming days. The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to punish Hasina and has deployed security forces to maintain order. Yunus is expected to address the nation on Thursday, amid reports of arson and vandalism in Dhaka and other cities. The case has also sparked a diplomatic row between Bangladesh and India, with Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoning the Indian Deputy High Commissioner to formally convey its concerns over India allowing Hasina to interact with mainstream Indian media. Hasina has accused Yunus of backing Islamists and violating human and political rights, especially of supporters of her banned party. The country is bracing for a verdict that could have far-reaching implications for its politics and stability. The opposition has vowed to challenge the election if the Awami League is not allowed to participate, and thousands of its supporters have been arrested across the country. The United Nations has reported that up to 1,400 people may have been killed in the violence, while the country's health adviser has put the death toll at over 800.