NEW CALL RECORDING TO ICT / Quader told Arafat to stop July attack coverage

Former Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader allegedly instructed then State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat to pressure television channels to stop broadcasting reports of attacks on protesters during the July mass uprising, according to a new call recording presented by the prosecution.

The recording was submitted as evidence before International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Monday (August 10), the fourth day of closing arguments in the case against Quader and six others over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising.

In the recording, Quader can allegedly be heard calling for strict action against television channels and instructing Arafat to ensure that reports of clashes were not broadcast.

In response, Arafat allegedly said several television channels had already been shut down the previous day and that arrangements were in place to immediately close any channel that failed to follow the instructions.

Arafat also allegedly said channels broadcasting images, videos or footage of the clashes had been threatened with being declared “enemies of the state” and permanently shut down.

He also referred to arrangements to monitor the broadcasts of the channels through the Bangabandhu Satellite.

During the conversation, Arafat reportedly briefed Quader on the situation and proposed portraying the unrest in two ways.

According to the recording, he described quota protesters on one side and alleged “third parties”, including Jamaat-BNP activists, as responsible for violence and arson on the other.

He also said the curfew would be presented as a measure against alleged “terrorists” of Jamaat-BNP, while the government would portray its engagement with quota protesters as an effort to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

Besides Quader and Arafat, the case names Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Wali Asif Enan as accused.

On Sunday (August 9), the prosecution presented another call recording allegedly involving Quader and then State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

According to that recording, Quader had instructed Palak to slow down internet services during the July uprising. Palak, however, allegedly told him that approval from then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would be required before taking such a measure.

According to the prosecution, all seven accused are currently absconding. Tribunal-2 ordered the trial to begin by framing charges against the seven on January 22 this year.

The tribunal completed the recording of evidence on August 2, with a total of 28 witnesses, including the investigation officer, testifying in the case. Closing arguments are currently underway.