Leaked Audio Reveals Hasina’s Role in Deadly Bangladesh Protest
A leaked phone call suggests former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ordered security forces to use lethal force against student protesters in 2024.
The audio, verified by BBC Eye, is key evidence in her trial for crimes against humanity. Up to 1,400 people died in the crackdown, per UN estimates. Hasina fled to India in August 2024 and denies the allegations.
The unrest began in July 2024 over a controversial quota system for government jobs. Students led protests demanding reforms, which escalated after police violence on July 16.
Public outrage grew as videos of police shootings spread online. The protests turned into a mass movement, ending Hasina’s 15-year rule. She fled on August 5 as protesters stormed her residence.
Details of the Leaked Audio
The audio, recorded on July 18, 2024, captures Hasina speaking from her Dhaka residence, Ganabhaban. She allegedly told a senior official to “use lethal weapons” and “shoot wherever they find [protesters].”
The recording was intercepted by Bangladesh’s National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC). Forensic experts at Earshot found no signs of tampering or synthetic generation. Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department matched the voice to Hasina’s.
Who Leaked the Audio?
The audio surfaced online in March 2025, but the leaker’s identity remains unknown. It was one of several calls recorded by the NTMC, a government surveillance agency.
Many unverified clips of Hasina’s calls have circulated since the protests. The BBC’s verification lends credibility to this recording, making it a focal point for prosecutors.
Context of Hasina’s Orders
The call came amid escalating violence in Dhaka. Protests had intensified after police killed students, sparking public fury. On July 18, Hasina reportedly authorized lethal force to quell the unrest.
Hours later, security forces used military-grade rifles in five university zones. The crackdown peaked on August 5, when Hasina fled as her palace was overrun.
The UN called the violence the deadliest in Bangladesh since 1971.
Legal and Political Fallout
Hasina faces trial in absentia at Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for crimes against humanity. Prosecutors cite the audio as evidence of her direct role in the killings. She faces charges like incitement and failure to prevent mass murder.
Her Awami League party, now banned, denies the allegations, claiming the audio shows no “unlawful intent.” Bangladesh has requested her extradition from India, but her return is unlikely.
In July 2024, Bangladesh was rocked by student-led protests that spiraled into a deadly confrontation, ultimately toppling the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A leaked phone call, now verified, has placed her at the center of a war crimes investigation, revealing her alleged orders for a brutal crackdown. Below is a detailed look at the events, the audio, and their implications.
Leaked Audio Implicates
Hasina in Deadly Crackdown A phone call from July 18, 2024, allegedly captures Sheikh Hasina ordering a violent response to protests. Verified by BBC Eye, the audio shows her directing security forces to use lethal weapons.
The crackdown killed up to 1,400 people, according to the United Nations. Hasina, now in India, is being tried in absentia for crimes against humanity. Her party disputes the audio’s authenticity.
Why Did Bangladesh Choose Mangoes for PM Modi? 
Hasina Accuses Yunus of Selling Bangladesh’s Land to the US 
Bangladesh Reinstates Israel Travel Ban on Passports 
India terminates cargo shipment to Bangladesh 
Nepal: The growing hub for eye care in South Asia 
Champions Trophy 2025 points table