AL suppressed media to conceal July killings

The Awami League government used its control over the media to conceal killings and other crimes committed during the July uprising, the prosecution told International Crimes Tribunal-2 yesterday.

The prosecution made the allegation while concluding the fourth day of its arguments in a crimes against humanity case against Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and six other senior leaders of the party and its affiliated organisations over atrocities committed during the July 2024 uprising.

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The prosecution presented a phone conversation between Quader and then state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, saying it showed the government’s efforts to prevent the broadcasting of images and information about clashes and casualties.

In the conversation, Arafat told Quader that several television channels had already been shut down and that he had given blanket permission to suspend broadcasts carrying such content.

The prosecution also submitted documents from four television channels showing that they were forced to suspend broadcasts on July 18 and 22 following government instructions.

“These are systematic crimes,” prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim told the court, arguing that the measures were taken to conceal the government’s killings and other crimes.

The prosecution also referred to a UN report documenting media control during the crackdown and played telephone conversations involving then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her adviser Salman F Rahman and then law minister Anisul Huq.

According to the prosecution, the conversations contained discussions about using the curfew to “finish” protesters, deploying lethal weapons and helicopters, and directing AL supporters to set fire to protesters’ homes and businesses.

The prosecutors further argued that the AL and its affiliated organisations, including Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Sramik League and Chhatra League, took organisational decisions to suppress the movement.

They said Quader, AL Joint General Secretary Bahaunddin Nasim, who is also an accused in the case, and Arafat played key roles in facilitating the crackdown.

The prosecution also referred to the July 15 attacks at Dhaka University, saying Arafat was present and made provocative remarks against protesting students, while Chhatra League leaders mobilised activists against them. More than 300 students were assaulted and injured that day, it said.

The other accused are Jubo League chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hussain and its general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.