Published : 11 Aug 2026, 06:45 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:31 AM
Audio recordings allegedly featuring former prime minister Sheikh Hasina discussing retaliatory arson, helicopter deployment and blaming protesters for violence have been presented as evidence at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The recordings were played on Monday during closing arguments in a case over the crackdown on the July Uprising.
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented them before the three-member bench led by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury.
According to transcripts provided to journalists, the calls took place on Jul 19 and 21, 2024, with then road transport minister Obaidul Quader and foreign minister Hasan Mahmud.
‘Retaliatory Arson’
In a Jul 19 call with Mahmud, Hasina allegedly said: “There’s no point doing anything else now. If they burn our homes and businesses, we’ll burn theirs too.”
Mahmud described the approach as “tit for tat”. Hasina also instructed lawmakers to arrange “protection” in their constituencies and told Quader to identify the businesses and homes of those involved.
In another call, Quader reportedly discussed dispersing gatherings. Hasina said: “Wherever they continue to gather in large numbers, the RAB must be told, BGB is ready, helicopters will do it, they will disperse them from the helicopters.”
The recordings also contain discussions about arrests, including Hasina saying: “I’m telling you, arrest as many as you can.”
Diplomatic Briefing, Media Control
In the Jul 21 call, Mahmud told Hasina that 85 diplomats, including representatives from the United States and Britain, had been briefed. He said no media outlets were invited to avoid “wrong” reports.
The two also discussed portraying students and opposition parties as responsible for killings. Hasina allegedly said: “They are the killers; they are protesting in the name of this movement and Jamaat and BNP have relied on them to carry out all the killings.”
Near the end, she said: “The students were not killed by gunfire; the students themselves were doing it. They are the ones shooting and killing...”
Prosecutors allege the accused jointly issued instructions and made inciting statements during the July-August crackdown, contributing to killings and widespread violence.
The tribunal has heard 28 witnesses, including the investigation officer. Closing arguments began on Aug 4.
