The International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday sentenced Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to six-month jail for contempt of court.

The tribunal found her guilty of making instigating remarks that, according to the judges, undermined the justice process and created fear among witnesses, prosecutors, and court officials.

The verdict was delivered in her absence by the tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

Shakil Akond Bulbul, a party leader from Gobindaganj, was also sentenced to two-month jail on similar charges.

The contempt proceedings stem from allegations that Sheikh Hasina, while staying in India, made provocative comments during a phone call with Gobindaganj Awami League leader Shakil Akand Bulbul.

In a leaked audio clip, Hasina is allegedly heard saying, ‘I have had 227 cases filed against me, so I have a licence to kill 227 people.’

The Hasina’s conversation with Shakil was widely shared on social media and later picked up by mainstream media outlets.

Chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam contended that her remarks provoked party supporters to carry out subversive activities, including arson attacks, obstruct the tribunal’s proceedings and administration of justice.

And also frightened the plaintiffs, witnesses, victims and prosecutors related to the 227 cases which are now pending with the tribunals.

On April 30, 2025, the tribunal issued a contempt notice against Hasina and Shakil after hearing a petition from chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam who described her comments as contemptuous.

Tajul argued that the remarks interfered with the tribunal’s ongoing proceedings related to the July 2024 uprising.

Earlier, on May 27, the tribunal issued a public notice in one Bangla and one English newspaper asking Hasina to appear in person. She did not respond.

It was the first imprisonment Hasina while hundreds of complaints remain under investigation over the July–August 2024 mass uprising which reportedly left at least 1,400 people dead. The complaints also include cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other serious human rights violations committed during her 15-year rule.

On June 1, the prosecution formally charged Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and former inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun with crimes against humanity and it later on July 1 adjourned until July 7 to charge hearing.

The charges relate to their alleged roles in the violent crackdown on unarmed demonstrators during the 2024 uprising that led to Hasina’s ouster on August 5, 2024.