From Sheikh Hasina to Zulfikar Bhutto: World Leaders Who Faced Death Sentences

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was on Monday sentenced to death.

After a special tribunal convicted her of crimes against humanity for allegedly ordering a violent crackdown on student-led protests that toppled her government in August 2024. The court, delivering the verdict in absentia, said Hasina had “incited attacks” on protesters.

The ruling marks a dramatic escalation in Bangladesh’s political turmoil ahead of national elections expected in February 2026. Around the world, several former leaders have faced similar sentences — some executed, others spared through commutations or later acquittals.

Leaders Who Received Death Sentences

Saddam Hussein (Iraq):
The former president was convicted of crimes against humanity and executed by hanging in 2006.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan):
Pakistan’s former prime minister was hanged in 1979 after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder — a verdict widely criticised as politically motivated.

Mohammad Najibullah (Afghanistan):
The former president was captured and publicly executed by the Taliban in 1996 after being ousted from power.

Amir-Abbas Hoveyda (Iran):
Iran’s former prime minister was executed in 1979 following summary trials during the Islamic Revolution.

Hideki Tojo (Japan):
Japan’s wartime prime minister was executed in 1948 after being convicted of war crimes by the Tokyo Tribunal.

Benito Mussolini (Italy):
Italy’s fascist dictator was captured and executed by firing squad in 1945 as World War II drew to a close.

Georgios Papadopoulos (Greece):
Leader of the 1967 military junta, he was sentenced to death for high treason; the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

Chun Doo-hwan (South Korea):
The former military ruler received a death sentence in 1996 for his role in the 1979 coup and the Gwangju massacre, later reduced and eventually pardoned.

Philippe Pétain (France):
The World War II-era leader of Vichy France was sentenced to death for collaboration with Nazi Germany; it was later commuted due to his age and past military service.

Pervez Musharraf (Pakistan):
In 2019, the former military dictator was sentenced to death for high treason, though the ruling was later struck down by a higher court.