NN Online:
Former state minister for Post, Telecommunications, and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak has confessed that during the anti-discrimination protests in July-August, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina ordered the internet shutdown.
He admitted during interrogation that the internet shutdown was not caused by a fire in the building, but rather was ordered by Sheikh Hasina.
On Wednesday, Palak made this confession during questioning by the investigation agency of the tribunal. Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam confirmed the matter to the media on Thursday.
He said during the student and public uprising, the internet shutdown was not caused by any accident or fire in a building. Palak himself confessed that, on the orders of Sheikh Hasina, all domestic and international internet gateways were shut down. The purpose of the internet blackout was to prevent information about the genocide from being exposed.
On December 12, the International Crimes Tribunal granted permission to interrogate former ICT minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak regarding various issues, including the internet shutdown during the quota reform movement in July. Following the tribunal’s order, he was questioned by the investigation agency on Wednesday.
