“We have hanged the Razakars, and now I will do the same to you. I will not spare a single one" - Sheikh Hasina

Former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country following a student–public uprising, was desperate to cling to power — a fact now evidenced by some of her recorded phone conversations. Two new audio clips of her conversation has recently come into the hands of investigators. After forensic verification, the prosecution submitted the recording to the International Crimes Tribunal.

During the opening statement in the Chankharpul massacre case on Monday, 11 August, Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tazul Islam presented a conversation between Sheikh Hasina and the former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University. The phone call took place on 14 July, during the anti-discrimination student movement, with then Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A S M Maksud Kamal.

Regarding the conversation, Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam said that on that day, Maksud Kamal stated: “Students from every hall have broken the locks and come out. Now they are at the Raju Sculpture, four to five thousand boys and girls have gathered. They have also gathered at the Mall Square, and at any moment they could attack my residence.”

Sheikh Hasina replied: “I have already told them to ensure the protection of your house.” Maksud Kamal responded, “Yes, yes.” Hasina then said, “They have done it once before...”

Later, Maksud Kamal said: “They are getting ready in the same way... have come out with sticks.”

At this point, Sheikh Hasina said: “Coming out with sticks won’t do. I have instructed the police and the BDR — now BGB — to stay very alert. And they want to become Razakars; well, they are all Razakars. What a strange country we live in.”

Maksud Kamal replied: “Yes, yes... they are saying we are all Razakars.”

Sheikh Hasina said: “Well, we have hanged the Razakars, and now I will do the same to you. I will not spare a single one of you, I am telling you. All this time, we have been patient, but they are becoming more aggressive.”

Maksud Kamal said: “They have gone too far, far too far... Sister, please increase the campus security a bit more... and also around my house...”

Sheikh Hasina replied: “I am making arrangements on campus — BGB, RAB, and police, all measures are in place. I am instructing to place people inside your house as well. But such excesses are not good.”

The Chief Prosecutor read out the entire conversation during his opening remarks. He added that on that day, Maksud Kamal further said: “At Bijoy ’71 Hall, they have beaten up Chhatra League boys. They did the same in two other halls. Chhatra League leaders — Saddam (now the banned Chhatra League president), Inan (the banned general secretary), Shoyon (the banned Dhaka University unit president) — were at my residence from the evening. I had been receiving updates, and I called them over. They also came. We sat together so that they could keep Chhatra League united in the halls and inform Dhaka North and South. While doing these things, thousands of boys and girls gathered.”

Sheikh Hasina then said: “What kind of country do we live in? They have been growing bolder. Didn’t you see what happened to the Razakars? We hanged them all; I will not spare you either.”

Maksud Kamal said: “Yes, once this trouble is over, I will personally expel from the university the main instigators of this unrest.”

Sheikh Hasina responded: “All of them must be expelled... I am telling you, after tolerating them today, arrest them, detain them, and take whatever action is necessary. Because in England, when student politics caused trouble, didn’t they kill quite a few?”

Maksud Kamal replied: “Yes, yes, yes.”

Sheikh Hasina said: “There is no option but to take that action. We have shown too much tolerance, and that is why they have come this far.”

Maksud Kamal said: “Yes, we have also been tolerant... I have told Chhatra League not to do anything since it’s a matter for the court to resolve.”

Sheikh Hasina said: “No, this won’t be settled in court. They have given a 24-hour ultimatum again.”

Maksud Kamal said: “How can anyone give a 24-hour ultimatum to the president of a country?”

Sheikh Hasina replied: “They are giving the president a 24-hour ultimatum... there is a limit to insolence!”

Maksud Kamal said: “Sister, if things take a turn for the worse, I will inform you again. But not at night — maybe within half an hour or an hour if needed.”

Sheikh Hasina replied: “No problem... I am always free.”

Maksud Kamal said: “Yes, yes, yes, Assalamu Alaikum.”

The tribunal’s full verdict also highlighted another leaked conversation between Sheikh Hasina and Shakil Akand Bulbul, an Awami League leader from Gobindaganj, Gaibandha. At one point in that recording, Sheikh Hasina said: “Make that list and tell the officers we are sending it to the leader. She wants it; it will be useful in the future.” Bulbul replied: “Yes, leader, yes, Assalamu Alaikum.” Sheikh Hasina then said: “Remember, you will need to work in the future; don’t forget that. One winter doesn’t end the cold.”

In the audio, Sheikh Hasina is also heard saying: “Tell me, whose houses have been burned?” Bulbul replied: “They did it, leader — all of them, Jamaat–BNP.” Hasina asked: “Don’t they have houses?” Bulbul replied: “Yes, leader.” Hasina said: “So, everything doesn’t have to be done publicly.” Bulbul responded: “No, no, leader, yes.” Hasina said: “If we don’t have houses, they won’t have houses either.”

The verdict stated that these remarks show Sheikh Hasina incited Bulbul to burn down the homes of rival activists.

Beyond the forensic test of the audio, Prosecutor Tanvir Hasan Zoha also investigated the matter, as noted in the tribunal’s verdict. The investigation found that local journalist Suman Mia first obtained the leaked audio, which Bulbul then spread among local journalists and party activists. It also revealed that a group called “A Team” held secret Awami League meetings via WhatsApp and Zoom. On 25 October last year, Sheikh Hasina gave an inciting speech in one such meeting.

The verdict further recorded another statement by Sheikh Hasina during her conversation with Bulbul: “I have 227 murder cases across Bangladesh. Make a list of at least 227 people to kill — I’ve got the license for that. The punishment for one case is the same as for more than 200, right? Fine, I’ll take that punishment, but before that, I’ll settle accounts with those 200-plus. Keep that in mind.”

According to the verdict, Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm resolve to kill 227 people and instructed Bulbul to prepare such a list.