The leaked audio, verified by BBC Eye, allegedly captures former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructing her security forces to employ lethal measures against demonstrators. The recording has emerged as key evidence in a trial for crimes against humanity, in which Hasina, currently in exile in India, faces serious accusations regarding the violent repression of protests that led to over 1,400 deaths last summer.
Leaked Audio Exposes Orders for Lethal Force by Former Bangladesh Leader
Leaked Audio Exposes Orders for Lethal Force by Former Bangladesh Leader
A recently leaked audio recording purportedly reveals that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina authorized deadly force during student protests, leading to a significant crackdown that resulted in extensive casualties.
A leaked audio recording has rocked Bangladesh, suggesting that the country’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina authorized a violent crackdown on student protests last summer. The BBC Eye confirmed the authenticity of the recording, which reportedly features Hasina instructing security forces to utilize “lethal weapons” against demonstrators. This revelation aligns with accusations that up to 1,400 individuals lost their lives in the unrest.
The audio, which surfaced online in March, captures a conversation Hasina had with a senior government official. It indicates she directed her security personnel to “shoot” protesters wherever they encountered them. This crucial evidence will likely play a significant role as prosecutors prepare their case against Hasina, who is currently being tried in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity.
Last summer’s protests erupted over civil service job quotas favoring relatives of freedom fighters from Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence, evolving into a widespread movement that resulted in the ousting of Hasina after 15 years in office. The demonstrations became increasingly violent, particularly on August 5, when police unleashed a deadly assault on protesters.
The BBC's investigation uncovered harrowing details, revealing a higher death toll than initially reported, especially in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area, where police killed at least 52 people in a single incident. Eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage confirmed that police opened fire on demonstrators as they attempted to flee, sparking retaliatory violence.
The authenticity of the leaked call was corroborated by forensic analysis, disproving any claims of audio manipulation. International human rights experts assert that this recording is pivotal in establishing Hasina's culpability amid the ongoing trial, with her Awami League party denying any unlawful intent behind the actions of government forces.
As ongoing investigations continue, former government officials, alongside Hasina, face charges related to the violent suppression of protests, with the International Criminal Tribunal indicting 203 individuals, including those currently in custody. Despite allegations of excessive force, the Awami League maintains that its response was proportionate and aimed at minimizing casualties.
With Hasina currently in exile in India, her return remains uncertain while the interim government under Muhammad Yunus gears up for forthcoming elections. The political landscape in Bangladesh hangs in the balance as the nation awaits developments in this pivotal case that questions the actions of its leaders during a time of crisis.
