Audio Recordings Link Ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Protest Crackdown in Bangladesh
DHAKA: Recent audio recordings reviewed by the BBC suggest that Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may have played a direct role in a violent response to protests that occurred last year. These allegations are central to the trial she is facing.
According to the United Nations, between July and August 2024, around 1,400 people lost their lives during a crackdown by Hasina’s government as authorities attempted to suppress dissent and maintain their hold on power.
Hasina, now 77 years old, escaped to India amid widespread protests led by students. She has refused to return to Dhaka for her trial, which began in her absence on June 1, where she faces serious charges, including crimes against humanity.
The BBC’s investigative team has analyzed an audio recording, believed to be Hasina’s voice, which was leaked online and is considered crucial evidence for the prosecution. In this recording, purportedly made on July 18, 2024, the individual, allegedly Hasina, can be heard instructing security forces to “use lethal weapons” against demonstrators, stating that they should “shoot wherever they find them.”
Audio experts with the BBC confirmed that there was no sign of editing in the recording and assessed that it was unlikely to have been artificially generated. Additionally, Bangladeshi police have matched the audio to verified tapes of Hasina’s voice.
