By: Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
A leaked phone call has surfaced, reportedly revealing that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directly ordered security forces to use deadly force during last year’s student-led protests. The recording is now being used as key evidence in an international tribunal where she is being tried in absentia for crimes against humanity.
The protests began in mid-2024 over civil service job quotas for families of war veterans and quickly grew into a mass movement. It eventually led to Hasina’s removal from power after 15 years.
According to international investigators, up to 1,400 people died during the unrest, making it the most violent period in the country since its independence war.
In the audio, Hasina is heard instructing officials to “use lethal weapons” and to “shoot wherever they find \[protesters].” The call reportedly took place on 18 July while she was at her official residence in Dhaka. Just weeks later, she fled the country as crowds stormed her home.
Voice-matching analysis and audio forensics have reportedly confirmed the authenticity of the leaked recording. Experts found no signs of editing or manipulation, suggesting the call is genuine.
The audio is believed to have been captured by a national agency responsible for monitoring government communications. It is one of several recordings leaked since the protests, although many of those remain unverified.
Hasina’s political party has rejected the allegations, claiming the tape shows no unlawful intent or excessive use of force. Still, international legal experts say the leaked call provides strong evidence of her involvement in the violent crackdown.
Additional details from that period have also emerged, including a higher-than-reported death toll from a police massacre on August 5. Official documents indicate that military-grade weapons were deployed during clashes in the capital.
This leaked recording could play a crucial role in proving whether the former leader was directly responsible for ordering the use of deadly force against her own people during the historic uprising.
