Hasina's chances of political comeback appear slim: ICG

The International Crisis Group (ICG) has stated that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's chances of making a political comeback in Bangladesh’now appear very slim.’reports UNB.
“The political repercussions of this verdict are significant," said Crisis Group's expert on Bangladesh, Senior Consultant Thomas Kean on Monday.
But as long as she maintains her grip on the Awami League, the party is unlikely to be permitted to return to active politics," said Thomas Kean
The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) earlier in the day convicted and sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during last year’s July-August uprising, which claimed more than 1,000 lives.
She was also sentenced to imprisonment unto death on a separate charge.
A spate of recent bombings and the Awami League’s call for a nationwide ‘lockdown’ have put the country on edge as it nears much-anticipated national elections scheduled for February 2026, said the Crisis Group expert.
"The Awami League should desist from acts of violence, and the interim government must avoid heavy-handed crackdowns against party supporters," Thomas Kean said.
He said the conviction of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity will be widely welcomed in Bangladesh, where there are few doubts about her responsibility for the atrocities committed against protesters in July-August 2024.