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News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Did Sheikh Hasina Give ‘Shoot' Order Against Protesters? Here's What Leaked Audio Suggests
Last Updated: A spokesperson for the Awami League dismissed the allegations, arguing that the audio does not reflect any illegal orders or disproportionate action A leaked audio recording, verified by the BBC, linked former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the deadly crackdown on student-led protests last year. In the recording, Hasina is reportedly heard instructing a senior official to deploy lethal force against demonstrators, saying security personnel should 'shoot wherever they find them (protesters)." The directive was allegedly given on July 18, 2024, while Hasina was at her official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka. Hours later, law enforcement officers used military-grade weapons in operations across the capital, according to documents reviewed by the BBC. 1,400 Killed During Protest The United Nations estimates that over 1,400 people were killed during the suppression of protests, which erupted in response to a contentious quota policy for public sector jobs. The violence continued through July and August 2024. The events led to the collapse of Hasina's Awami League government. She left the country on August 5, 2024, and has remained in India since then. The Bangladeshi government has submitted a formal extradition request. Hasina now faces charges in a special tribunal in Bangladesh, where prosecutors intend to present the audio as primary evidence in the case. She is accused of ordering mass violence during the unrest. In her first public remarks since fleeing, Hasina denied authorising any use of force that resulted in deaths. Nevertheless, the leaked audio is seen by investigators as significant in establishing her direct involvement in the crackdown. A spokesperson for the Awami League dismissed the allegations, arguing that the audio does not reflect any illegal orders or disproportionate action, the BBC reported. Toby Cadman, a UK-based human rights lawyer advising Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal, said the audio will play a key role in the proceedings. 'The recordings are critical for establishing her role, they are clear and have been properly authenticated, and are supported by other evidence," he told the BBC. view comments First Published: July 09, 2025, 12:29 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Shoot wherever they find': How Bangladesh ex-PM Sheikh Hasina ordered deadly crackdown on student-led protests
'Wherever they find (them), they will shoot' — former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was heard saying in a leaked audio recording, as she announced a crackdown on student-led protests in 2024 that had killed at least 1,400 people, a report by BBC has revealed. In the recording verified by BBC Eye, Hasina can also be heard instructing the security forces to 'use lethal weapons' against protesters. The directive by the former Bangladeshi prime minister was given during her phone call with a senior government official on July 18 from her official residence in Dhaka, which is also known as Ganabhaban. Hours after the call, security forces in Dhaka used military-grade rifles that killed at least 1,400 people, reported BBC, citing police documents. However, a spokesperson of Hasina's Awami League denied that the tape showed any 'unlawful intention' of 'disproportionate response'. A UK-based human rights advocate advising Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) said that the audio recording was significant evidence in establishing Hasina's role in the killing of the protesters. 'The recordings are critical for establishing her role, they are clear and have been properly authenticated, and are supported by other evidence,' Toby Cadman told the BBC. Bangladesh's political landscape saw a major upheaval when student-led protests against a government job quota system escalated to violent clashes and unrest that forced the then-prime minister, Hasina, to flee to India, putting an end to her 15-year rule. Following her dramatic ouster, the military declared it would form an interim government, which is now helmed by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus. Hasina charged with crimes against humanity in Bangladesh Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal charged Hasina with crimes against humanity, alleging her role in ordering mass killings during a nationwide uprising in July. The charges, submitted by Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam and his team, accuse Hasina of being the chief instigator behind the violent crackdown that unfolded during the July and August unrest, according to The Dhaka Tribune. 'The evidence points clearly to her role in directing the operation,' Islam told The Dhaka Tribune following the filing 'This was a coordinated attack on civilians, and she bears command responsibility.'
India Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Leaked audio hints Sheikh Hasina gave 'find-and-shoot' order on agitators: Report
The brutal crackdown on student protesters in Bangladesh last year was ordered by then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, revealed a leaked audio of her conversation with a senior government official, the BBC the audio, verified by the BBC, Hasina can be heard saying that she directed the security forces to use "lethal weapons" and "shoot wherever they find them (protesters)".advertisementHasina was at her residence in Dhaka, known as the Ganabhaban, when she made the call on July 18. Hours after the call, military-grade rifles were used by the security forces in Dhaka, the BBC reported, citing police LEFT 1,400 DEAD According to the United Nations, at least 1,400 people were killed in the crackdown between July and August 2024 as Bangladesh was roiled by student protests over a controversial quota system in government jobs. The protests led to the fall of her Awami League government as Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024. She has been in India since then even though Bangladesh has sent a formal request to India to extradite Hasina, accused of mass killings during the uprising, facing trial at a special tribunal in Bangladesh, prosecutors plan to use the audio tape as crucial evidence against her first statement since fleeing Bangladesh, Hasina denied responsibility for the deaths. However, the audio tape provides the most significant evidence yet that she directly authorised the "shoot-on-sight" an Awami League spokesperson denied that the leaked audio showed any "unlawful intention" of "disproportionate response", the BBC reported.A UK-based human rights advocate, who is advising Bangladesh's International Criminal Tribunal (ICT), said the audio tape was critical for establishing Hasina's role."The recordings are critical for establishing her role, they are clear and have been properly authenticated, and are supported by other evidence," Toby Cadman told the BBC.- EndsTune InMust Watch
