‘Palak ordered to shut internet during July protests’

A senior telecom official has testified before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) that former state minister for information and communication technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak personally instructed an internet shutdown during the July Uprising.

The testimony was given on Tuesday at Tribunal-1 in a crimes against humanity case involving ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Palak, reports bdnews24.com. Mirza Kamal Ahmed, former managing director of Bangladesh Submarine Cables and currently deputy managing director of BTCL, appeared as the fifth prosecution witness. He stated that he received direct instructions related to the shutdown of internet services.

According to his testimony, on the evening of July 18, 2024, he was informed that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) had ordered the shutdown of submarine bandwidth at the Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata landing stations-an unprecedented directive at the submarine level.

He further said that around 8:45pm, then BTRC Director General Brigadier General Kazi Mustafizur Rahman instructed him to shut down internet services at the submarine level.

Shortly after, around 9pm, Palak allegedly called him directly, questioning the delay in implementing the order and asking how long the shutdown would take.

“I said it would take about 15 minutes. He then instructed me to confirm the shutdown,” the witness stated.

He added that he immediately relayed the directive, and internet services through both submarine cable stations were shut down within 15 minutes.

The tribunal is examining allegations that internet shutdowns during the July protests were linked to crimes against humanity.

Investigators say the case, which began in August 2024, includes multiple charges such as incitement to violence, disruption of communications, and mass killings during the protests.

Formal charges were filed in December 2025, and charges were framed in January this year against Joy and Palak.

The prosecution has listed 32 witnesses, including victims, relatives, and technical experts.

Palak is currently in custody and was produced before the tribunal on Tuesday, while Sajeeb Wazed Joy remains absconding. The court has ordered publication of notices for him to surrender.