Bangladesh’s interim government called the sentence “historic” and “profound” but called for calm, adding that emotions could run high over the outcome.
Meanwhile, Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder said Hasina was found guilty on three counts including incitement, ordering killings and failing to prevent atrocities during the uprising.
“We have decided to inflict her with only one sentence – that is, sentence of death,” he said.
The student-led uprising last year started with demands to abolish government job quotas but morphed into a wider anti-government movement.
UN human rights investigators said in a report in February that the approximately 1,400 deaths could amount to “crimes against humanity”.
The report documented the shooting at point-blank range of some protesters, the deliberate maiming of others, arbitrary arrests and torture.
Reacting to Hasina’s sentence, the UN Human Rights Office said this was an “important moment for victims” – but it regretted the “imposition of the death penalty, which we oppose in all circumstances”.
Leaked audio of one of Hasina’s phone calls verified by BBC Eye earlier this year suggested she had authorised the use of “lethal weapons” in July 2024. The audio was played in court during the trial.
Ahead of the verdict, the capital, Dhaka, where the tribunal took place, was under tightened security, with many of Hasina’s critics staging a rally and cheering as the judgement was read.
The city has seen a recent spike in unrest, with dozens of bombs exploded and buses set on fire in the days leading up to the verdict.
