Video of pro-BNP lawyers demanding Sheikh Hasina’s execution spreads, claiming it shows their support for the shutdown
A video is spreading on Facebook claiming that lawyers are marching in support of the complete shutdown on November 17, 2025, in Bangladesh. But Dismislab’s fact-check found that the original video shows pro-BNP lawyers marching in the High Court area, demanding the death penalty for deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A video report by news outlet Somoy TV shows that on November 16, pro-BNP lawyers gathered in front of the Supreme Court Bar Association in Dhaka, demanding the highest punishment for Sheikh Hasina, who is accused of crimes against humanity during the July 2024 mass uprising that eventually toppled her. Their protest march passed the Supreme Court’s Annex Building before concluding in front of the Bar Association building.
However, a Facebook page named “Bangladesh Awami League” posted a video with the caption, “The court premises are reverberating with lawyers’ protest march in support of the complete shutdown on November 17.” The same video was posted with the same claim from several personal profiles (1, 2, 3) and groups (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). In the 12-second video, a group of lawyers is seen marching while chanting slogans. Women lawyers are at the front of the march, while male lawyers behind them shout slogans. In the bottom-right corner of the video, the Somoy TV logo is visible.
A reverse image search found a video published on November 16 on Somoy TV’s YouTube channel. Its description says, “Pro-BNP lawyers’ protest march demanding the maximum punishment for Hasina.” The 22 to 34-second segment of the 57-second video matches exactly with the video circulating with the false claim.
Somoy TV’s report published on November 16 was titled, “Protest in the High Court area demanding the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina.” The report states that pro-BNP lawyers held a protest march in the High Court area, demanding the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina. In the afternoon that day, the party’s lawyers gathered in front of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and from there, they marched past the Supreme Court Annex Building and ended the march in front of the Bar Association, the report stated. At that time, they demanded that Hasina be hanged.
So, the video of pro-BNP lawyers marching in the High Court area demanding capital punishment for Sheikh Hasina is being circulated with a false claim.
Notably, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh today delivered the verdict in the case against Sheikh Hasina for crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising. This is the first verdict related to killings and other crimes against humanity committed during last year’s mass movement.
The tribunal sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death on two charges of crimes against humanity. The announcement of the verdict was broadcast live from the courtroom.
