Bangladesh

BBC: Ex-Bangladesh Leader Ordered Protesters' Killing

JUL 9 2025·Updated FEB 11

Story

Above: Sheikh Hasina at a vandalized metro station in Mirpur, after the anti-quota protests, on July 25, 2024. Image credit: Bangladesh Prime Minister's Office/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina authorized security forces to "use lethal weapons" against student protesters in July 2024, according to a leaked phone call verified by BBC Eye and Bangladesh's Criminal Investigation Department.
BBC News
The Daily Star
NewsX
BBC Eye's investigation revealed that at least 52 people were killed by police in a single incident in Dhaka's Jatrabari area on Aug. 5, 2024, significantly higher than initial reports of 30 deaths.
Business Standard
BBC News
According to U.N. investigators, up to 1,400 people died during the July-August 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, marking the deadliest spate of political violence since the 1971 Liberation War.
UN News
Reuters
The International Criminal Tribunal in Bangladesh has charged Hasina with crimes against humanity and sentenced her to six months for contempt of court, with proceedings continuing in her absence as she remains in exile in India.
Al Jazeera
ABC News
The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has arrested 60 police officers for excessive force during the protests, while the tribunal has indicted 203 individuals, 73 of whom are in custody.
CNN
BBC News
Al Jazeera
This comes after Bangladesh's Election Commission canceled the Awami League party's registration and banned all its activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act, preventing the party from participating in the upcoming national elections.
CNN
The Tribune

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The leaked audio provides clear evidence that Hasina directly ordered lethal force against peaceful student protesters. The systematic violence was a calculated strategy to maintain power against legitimate democratic opposition. Justice demands accountability for these crimes against humanity.

BBC News

Prothomalo

Narrative B

The authenticity of the audio remains disputed, and decisions made at the time were done so in good faith to minimize casualties during violent unrest. The current proceedings represent politically motivated persecution designed to eliminate democratic opposition and silence dissent.