New Delhi / Dhaka — Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, strongly condemned the death sentence recently handed to his mother by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. He called the verdict a “political vendetta” and accused the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, of orchestrating a sham trial.
In an interview, Wazed claimed that the trial was completed in just two to three months, laws were amended without proper parliamentary process, and Hasina was not allowed to choose her own defence lawyers. He said the sentence was “pre-determined” and dismissed the process as “a complete mockery of justice.”
Wazed also expressed gratitude to India, stating that New Delhi had “saved my mother’s life.” According to him, militants had plotted to assassinate Hasina, and her exile in India prevented their plan from succeeding. He further warned of regional security risks, alleging that under Yunus’s regime, Lashkar-e-Taiba was operating freely in Bangladesh.
Reacting to calls from Dhaka for Hasina’s extradition, Wazed said the legal process in Bangladesh was deeply flawed. He pointed to the removal of judges before the trial and questioned the legitimacy of the tribunal. Meanwhile, Yunus defended the verdict, saying that it underscored a fundamental principle: “no one, regardless of power, is above the law.”
Wazed vowed that once a democratically elected government returns, the ruling would be overturned on appeal. The family’s condemnation amplifies existing political tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi, particularly over Hasina’s safety and current status in exile.
