Timeline: Sheikh Hasina’s reign ends after 15 years

Hasina, known as the iron lady of Bangladesh, resigns and flees the country after weeks of deadly protests.

Sheikh Hasina became Bangladesh prime minister for the first time after her Awami League party won the 1996 elections. Her second stint in power, which began in 2009, was marked by impressive economic growth.

But she was accused of becoming a hardline leader and cracking down on dissent. Her 15-year rule is also known for human rights violations. The United States placed sanctions on the elite Rapid Action Battalion, linked to disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

On Monday, following weeks of protests, the 76-year-old resigned and fled the country. Here’s a look at her time in office:

December 29, 2008 – The Awami League wins the general election, and Hasina becomes prime minister for a second time.

February 2009 – The Bangladesh Rifles, a paramilitary force, revolts. More than 74 people are killed. Hasina’s government manages to restore order.

June 2011 – The 15th amendment to the constitution is passed. It brings significant changes, including removing neutral caretaker governments, which had governed during elections and government transitions. The opposition says keeping the caretaker system is essential for free and fair elections.

February 2013 – Mass protests in Shahbagh, Dhaka, call for the death penalty for those who committed atrocities during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

October 2013 – The Rana Plaza building collapses, killing more than 1,000 people and highlighting the lack of safety in the garment industry, which is the mainstay of Bangladesh’s economy.

January 5, 2014 – The Awami League wins the general election, which was boycotted by the main opposition party and its allies. Hasina