It has been revealed that in July of last year, then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the shooting and killing of protestors to suppress the student-led demonstrations in Bangladesh. In an audio clip leaked last March, she is heard telephoning someone and stating that permission was given to the military to shoot protestors with live ammunition. The authenticity of this audio has also been confirmed by the British news outlet BBC.
A large number of students in Bangladesh had protested against the quota system used for appointing people to government jobs. When police used force to break up the protests and a large number of students were killed, the demonstrations escalated, ultimately forcing Hasina to resign from her position as Prime Minister. After resigning on August 5th and leaving the country, Hasina is currently living in neighboring India. More than 1,400 people died in the clashes between security forces.
Since Hasina’s departure to India, many cases have been filed against her in Bangladeshi courts. In these trials, which are proceeding in Hasina’s absence, prosecutors have decided to use the leaked audio as evidence. However, her party, the Awami League, has repeatedly denied the authenticity of the audio and the accusations against Hasina. The BBC reported that it has been confirmed that Hasina was at her official residence when the phone call was made on July 18, 2024. Furthermore, Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department has also confirmed that the voice in the audio belongs to Hasina.
In addition, the BBC further confirmed the authenticity of the audio through a company called ‘Earshot’. The BBC, citing the company, stated that there were no signs in the audio that AI was used to make any additions or alterations to Hasina’s voice.
