Published : 09 Aug 2026, 07:12 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:31 AM
The prosecution has submitted call recordings to the International Crimes Tribunal on the third day of closing arguments in the case against seven top leaders of the banned Awami League, including its General Secretary Obaidul Quader, over crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the July Mass Uprising.
The prosecution claims the recording contains a conversation between Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
The audio was presented as evidence before a three-member bench of International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.
In the audio played in court, Quader, who was a minister at the time, can allegedly be heard instructing Palak to slow down internet services during the July Uprising.
“Slow down the net a little... the internet,” Quader can be heard saying in the recording.
In response, former ICT state minister Palak says: “Shall I take permission from our leader [ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina] first?”
Quader agrees, saying: “Take it. Many people are telling me about these things...”
Palak then says, “It has been said that unless she says... I mean...”
Quader replies, “No, no, ask her first and then tell [them].”
Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented arguments for the prosecution before the tribunal. Prosecutors Faruk Ahmed, Sultan Mahmud and Shahidul Islam Sardar are assisting him.
Lawyers for the accused were also present in the tribunal.
Earlier, on Thursday, the prosecution submitted another phone conversation between Quader and then Bangladesh Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain on the second day of closing arguments. In that conversation, Quader could allegedly be heard inciting people to attack protesters.
A total of seven people, including Quader, have been charged in the case over alleged crimes against humanity committed in attempts to suppress the July Uprising.
The prosecution has alleged that the accused collectively issued instructions, instigated violence and made provocative statements in an effort to suppress the movement in July and August.
They allegedly held several meetings to plan violence and called on party activists to take to the streets and put up resistance. The accused also allegedly played roles in armed attacks, severe repression and attempts to control the media in various places.
The prosecution claims that their actions resulted in killings, attempted killings and widespread violence across the country, amounting to crimes against humanity punishable under law.
A total of 28 witnesses, including the investigating officer, have testified in the case.
Closing arguments began at the tribunal on Aug 4.
The tribunal took cognisance of the formal charges filed by the prosecution on Dec 18 last year and ordered the trial to begin by framing charges against the seven accused on Jan 22 this year.
Besides Quader, the six others accused are Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, its General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, former Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and its general secretary Wali Asif Enan. They are all absconding.
