Staff Reporter :
A BBC Eye investigation has revealed that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally authorised the use of lethal force during last year’s student-led protests in Bangladesh. The claims are based on a leaked audio recording of a phone call in which Hasina is heard instructing security forces to “use lethal weapons” and “shoot wherever they find [them],” referring to protesters.
The recording, leaked online in March and independently verified by BBC Eye-the BBC’s flagship investigative documentary series-has become a central piece of evidence in an ongoing case before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), where Hasina is being tried in absentia for crimes against humanity.
On 2 July, the tribunal sentenced the ousted premier to six months in jail in a contempt of court case. Prosecutors have since confirmed that the leaked phone call will be used as key evidence in the broader trial. A ruling on the admissibility of the recording is expected on Thursday.
According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the protests-originally sparked by opposition to job quotas favouring descendants of 1971 war veterans-led to as many as 1,400 deaths, making it the deadliest unrest since Bangladesh’s independence. The movement quickly escalated into a nationwide uprising that culminated in Hasina’s removal from office. She fled to India on 5 August 2024, the day protesters stormed her official residence in Dhaka.
BBC Eye, in collaboration with BBC Bangla, reported that the phone call, allegedly made from the Prime Minister’s residence, Ganabhaban, on 18 July, offers the strongest indication yet of Hasina’s direct involvement in the violent crackdown. At the time, public outrage was growing over graphic footage of protesters being killed by security forces.
Following the call, internal police documents reviewed by the BBC show that military-grade rifles were deployed in the capital.
The call was recorded by the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC), a government agency tasked with surveillance. While several audio clips purporting to be Hasina’s conversations have circulated since the protests, this particular recording has been forensically verified by both the Bangladesh Police Criminal Investigation Department and UK-based audio forensics firm Earshot.
Earshot’s experts confirmed the authenticity of the audio, identifying consistent vocal patterns, natural speech flow, ambient background noise, and electric network frequency interference-signs of an unedited recording. Their analysis concluded the call was likely captured as it was being played through a speakerphone.
British human rights barrister Toby Cadman, who is advising the ICT, stated: “The recordings are critical. They are clearly audible, professionally authenticated, and supported by corroborating evidence.”
While the ruling Awami League has questioned the tape’s authenticity, saying it cannot confirm its legitimacy, the implications are far-reaching.
Hasina is among more than 200 individuals indicted in connection with the violent crackdown. Among them are former senior officials from the police and government; 73 of the accused are currently in custody.
The BBC’s investigation also reconstructed the events of 5 August in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area, where at least 52 protesters were killed-far above the previously reported 30 deaths. Using drone footage, CCTV recordings, and eyewitness videos, BBC Eye pieced together the sequence of the massacre. The violence reportedly escalated after army units, which had been separating protesters from police, withdrew from the area. Police then opened fire as demonstrators attempted to flee.
The confrontation lasted over 30 minutes. In response, enraged protesters set fire to a local police station, killing six officers.
A Bangladesh Police spokesperson acknowledged that 60 officers had been arrested in connection with excessive use of force during the protests and assured that investigations are ongoing.
Hasina, who now resides in India, faces several charges including incitement, conspiracy, failure to prevent mass killings, and direct orders resulting in widespread civilian casualties. Despite Dhaka’s request for her extradition, New Delhi has yet to respond, and legal experts suggest her return to Bangladesh is improbable.
The Awami League has rejected findings by UN investigators who concluded there were credible grounds to believe Hasina and her government committed crimes against humanity.
