The verdicts came in a number of mass trials over the weekend, where members of the nationalist BNP party were charged with a range of crimes in connection with the many anti-government demonstrations the party has held.
In the past month, the police have cracked down on the protests, arresting virtually the entire top echelon of the BNP and several thousand supporters – according to the opposition, over 13,000 people. Several of those now convicted are high-ranking politicians or civil servants who work for BNP.
In a statement, the party has condemned the judges, calling them “baseless and politically motivated”.
Bangladesh will hold parliamentary elections on January 7 next year. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has ruled since 2009, could then be elected for a fourth term.