From power to peril: Sheikh Hasina joins list of 9 world leaders who faced death sentences
New Delhi: The sentencing of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death on November 17 has drawn global attention to the volatile nature of political power. While the situation in Dhaka remains fluid, Hasina is not the first head of state to face the ultimate penalty following a shift in regime.
Throughout modern history, coups, revolutions, and military interventions have frequently resulted in former leaders being tried and condemned. Following the recent developments in Bangladesh, here is a look at nine prominent heads of state who were sentenced to death, ranging from those who were executed to those whose sentences were later commuted.
1. Sheikh Hasina (Bangladesh)
Prime Minister: 1996–2001; 2009–2024
The most recent addition to this list, Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on November 17, 2025, following her ouster amid significant political turmoil. The charges were brought by the new regime, though the proceedings have sparked international debate regarding due process and judicial transparency.
2. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Pakistan)
President: 1971–1973 | Prime Minister: 1973–1977
In one of South Asia's most controversial legal chapters, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was removed from power in a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq. Charged with a political murder, Bhutto was convicted and subsequently hanged on April 4, 1979. His execution remains a polarising event in Pakistan's political history.
3. Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
President: 1979–2003
Following the US invasion of Iraq and his capture in 2003, Saddam Hussein was tried by an Iraqi tribunal for crimes against humanity. He was found guilty and executed by hanging on December 30, 2006, marking a definitive end to his decades-long rule.
4. Benito Mussolini (Italy)
Prime Minister: 1922–1943
As World War II neared its conclusion, the Fascist leader lost the support of his country. Mussolini was captured by Italian partisans while attempting to flee and was executed by firing squad on April 28, 1945. His death symbolised the collapse of fascism in Europe.
5. Adnan Menderes (Turkey)
Prime Minister: 1950–1960
Menderes was toppled during the military coup of 1960. Accused of violating the constitution and misusing power, he was executed on September 17, 1961. His death is often cited as one of the darkest moments in Turkish democracy.
6. Celal Bayar (Turkey)
President: 1950–1960 | Prime Minister: 1937–1939
Like Menderes, President Celal Bayar was sentenced to death following the 1960 Turkish coup for alleged constitutional violations. However, unlike his Prime Minister, Bayar’s sentence was commuted. He was released in 1964 due to ill health and advanced age.
7. Hideki Tojo (Japan)
Prime Minister: 1941–1944
A general of the Imperial Japanese Army and Prime Minister during much of World War II, Tojo was charged with war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East after Japan's defeat. He was executed by hanging on December 23, 1948.
8. Imre Nagy (Hungary)
Prime Minister: 1953–1955; 1956
Nagy led Hungary during the 1956 uprising against Soviet control. After the revolt was crushed, he was arrested, tried in secret, and executed on June 16, 1958. Decades later, he was rehabilitated and is now remembered as a national hero in Hungary.
9. Pervez Musharraf (Pakistan)
President: 2001–2008
Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf faced a high treason case long after leaving office. In 2019, a special court sentenced him to death in absentia. However, the ruling was later overturned by a higher court. Musharraf passed away in 2023.
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Screenwriter Salim Khan on ventilator support and stable, say doctors
Mumbai (PTI): Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan suffered a brain haemorrhage which has been tackled, is on ventilator support as a safeguard and stable, doctors treating him said on Wednesday, a day after he was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital here.
The 90-year-old, one half of the celebrated Salim-Javed duo which scripted films such as "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don" with Javed Akhtar, is in the ICU and recovery might take some time given his age.
"His blood pressure was high for which we treated him and we had to put him on a ventilator because we wanted to do certain investigations. Now the ventilator was put as a safeguard so that his situation doesn't get worse. So it is not that he is critical," Dr Jalil Parkar told reporters.
"We did the investigations that were required and today we have done a small procedure on him, I will not go into the details. The procedure done is called DSA (digital subtraction angiography). The procedure has been accomplished, he is fine and stable and shifted back to ICU. By tomorrow, we hope to get him off the ventilator. All in all, he is doing quite well," he added.
Asked whether he suffered a brain haemorrhage, the doctor said, "Unko thoda haemorrhage hua tha, which we’ve tackled. No surgery is required.
As concern over Khan's health mounted, his children, including superstar Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan, daughter Alvira, and sons-in-law Atul Agnihotri and Aayush Sharma, have been seen outside the hospital along with other well-wishers. His long-time partner Akhtar was also seen coming out of the hospital.
Khan, a household name in the 70s and 80s, turned 90 on November 24 last year. It was the day Dharmendra, the star of many of his films, including "Sholay", "Seeta aur Geeta" and "Yaadon Ki Baraat", passed away.
Hailing from an affluent family in Indore, Khan arrived in Mumbai in his 20s with dreams of stardom. He was good looking and confident he would make a mark in the industry as an actor. But that did not happen. And then, after struggling for close to a decade and getting confined to small roles in films, he changed lanes.
He worked as an assistant to Abrar Alvi and soon met Akhtar to form one of Hindi cinema's most formidable writing partnerships. They worked together on two dozen movies with most of them achieving blockbuster status.
Other than "Sholay", "Deewar" and "Don", Khan and Akhtar also penned "Trishul", "Zanjeer", "Seeta Aur Geeta", "Haathi Mere Saathi", "Yaadon Ki Baarat" and "Mr India".
