Internet Intercepts: Revealed Phone Calls of Sheikh Hasina and JSD Chief Inu in July Movement Case

In the ongoing trial at International Crimes Tribunal-1 concerning alleged crimes against humanity during the July Movement, two telephone conversations between former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Hasanul Haq Inu, president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), have been presented as evidence. The audios were submitted after verification through digital forensic analysis, according to the 53rd witness, Special Prosecutor Tanvir Johar. Both calls were made by Inu to Sheikh Hasina.

First Telephone Conversation:

Hasanul Haq Inu: Hello ji, assalamu alaikum.
Sheikh Hasina: Yes, walikum salam, what happened?
Hasanul Haq Inu: Inu was saying… no, one thing… I think your decision was correct, based on the reports I have received so far in Bangladesh… just in Dhaka towards Rampura and…
Sheikh Hasina: No, Rampura is clear, there’s some trouble at Shonir Akhra now…
Hasanul Haq Inu: At Shonir Akhra some mullahs…
Sheikh Hasina: Yes, I know. Not only mullahs, there are many madrasas there.
Hasanul Haq Inu: There are madrasas…
Sheikh Hasina: …actions are being taken… miking is being done… the army is not allowed to enter Narayanganj… we are deploying.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Oh, okay…
Sheikh Hasina: No, I am saying no casualties needed, they have barricades, okay. Will deploy from air, then take from both sides… message can be given that… the army is being sent… and will strike directly from helicopters… RAB helicopters will hit from above.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Okay, sound bombs will go from above, right. I have a point to bring to your attention, requesting that after the curfew, to ensure no more rallies, some homework is needed… for instance, identifying the leaders of rallies in Uttara, Badda, Gulshan, and Jatrabari… students from BNP, Chhatra Dal… important is the ground-level leaders… SP in Kushtia has already prepared a list… no clashes there, just minor gunshot, he is managing… taking photos, making lists… I suggest picking up those students tonight.
Sheikh Hasina: Yes, sure.
Hasanul Haq Inu: So that they cannot lead rallies… I am talking about Dhaka, surely your intelligence can make a list.
Sheikh Hasina: Not only intelligence, local leaders should also be included.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Local leaders include MP Khasru and Hasan Habib…
Sheikh Hasina: Khasru can’t, he is not local, Hasan is local, they have people.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Local not… yes right, Hasan hasn’t joined, Wakil couldn’t handle either… I mean… the lists should be prepared tonight, taking custody of all. Mohammadpur had plans last night, Gano Bhaban might have been attacked…
Sheikh Hasina: Yes, this has been going on for days.
Hasanul Haq Inu: The decision is very correct, Hon’ble Prime Minister.
Sheikh Hasina: Thank you…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Battlefield companion… so please… give orders for pickup…
Sheikh Hasina: Already ordered.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Also, can you enable the internet? It will help our work.
Sheikh Hasina: Brother, everything is burnt… the data center too… need to replace cables.
Hasanul Haq Inu: …I will speak alone at 8 PM… say government has no conflict with quota protesters, conflict is with destructive BNP, Jamaat.
Sheikh Hasina: Already conveyed…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Must propagate this via media if internet works…
Sheikh Hasina: Where will I get internet? Everything is burnt…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Another government will not come in Bangladesh, insha’Allah.
Sheikh Hasina: Let them come…
Hasanul Haq Inu: …
Sheikh Hasina: Where you have people, make lists, we will do too.
Hasanul Haq Inu: …break Jamaat-Shibir backbone in Dhaka city.
Sheikh Hasina: Absolutely…
Hasanul Haq Inu: …exposed… I will follow your instructions, insha’Allah.
Sheikh Hasina: Make the lists… all Shibir…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Okay, I understand.
Sheikh Hasina: Alright… thank you.

Second Telephone Conversation:

Sheikh Hasina: Hello?
Hasanul Haq Inu: Hello ji, assalamu alaikum… I was a little worried… I think the decision was very correct… I suggest stricter curfew… administration should deploy mikes throughout Dhaka…
Sheikh Hasina: I am calling the Home Minister now… DC offices, SP offices… four injured…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Yes, I have lists… Awami League houses, offices…
Sheikh Hasina: I will come to Dhaka now.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Curfew should be strict… people arrested if they leave home, no firing…
Sheikh Hasina: Honestly, committee meeting already done… three forces chiefs met… gradually deploy army from calm districts…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Okay.
Sheikh Hasina: People should remain inside…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Even targeted… even UNO offices…
Sheikh Hasina: Yes… pressure should remain… RAB, police patrols…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Pressure must stay… also planning one lakh people in Dhaka when curfew lifts…
Sheikh Hasina: They will come from districts…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Yes, correct.
Sheikh Hasina: Yes, let them…
Hasanul Haq Inu: Shahid Minar, Shahbagh, University, Press Club, Paltan…
Sheikh Hasina: Must take control there.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Peace, justice… students return home…
Sheikh Hasina: Okay, ensure students go home.
Hasanul Haq Inu: Party network needs strengthening.
Sheikh Hasina: Already done…

The tribunal presented these calls as critical digital evidence, highlighting alleged operational coordination, curfew enforcement, crowd control, and the management of information via internet and media during the July Movement unrest.