Threats, Tracking, and Tribunal: Prosecutors Targeted by ‘A-Team’ Cyber Gang
Prosecutors responsible for handling the verdict on the crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising have been receiving regular online threats since the night before the ruling. Using concealed identities and “iCaller,” cyber miscreants have been sending obscene abuse and death threats via SMS, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Using technology, law enforcement has already identified one of these cyber offenders. After International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor and Special Investigation Officer Tanvir Hassan Zoha received threats, forensic inquiry revealed the involvement of an organized group.
According to reliable sources, following the death threats, one moderator of the cyber-criminal group “A-Team” was taken into detective custody early on 20 November. His name is Md. Arian Khan Sharif. The young man, the son of a rickshaw-puller who became a hacker, has already provided important information during interrogation that led to the identification of more members. He is known to be one of those operating from Bangladesh on behalf of the banned Awami League’s cyber team. He will be produced before the court today for formal remand proceedings.
Regarding the threats, Prosecutor and Special Investigation Officer Tanvir Hassan Zoha said:
“Any threat directed at prosecutors is a direct attack on the State and the justice system. Those who hide behind VPNs, fake registrations, or hotspot tricks—here is a clear message for them: no matter how deep your digital disguise is, the law will find you. The judiciary cannot be frightened, and it will not be. Every hacker, instigator, and collaborator involved will be brought under the law, Insha’Allah. The Digital Forensic Unit has already begun the necessary tracing. Those who think online anonymity keeps them safe will soon be proven wrong.”
Before the verdict, members of the prosecution team told journalists that since Sunday night, each of them had been receiving threats and extreme verbal abuse. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam said:
“I have received countless calls. At one point, I turned off my phone. Same language, same threats: ‘If the Leader is sentenced, your lives will be finished.’”
Sources say that while in power in 2021, the banned Bangladesh Awami League—facing trial for crimes against humanity—launched a training programme under its Science and Technology Sub-Committee to create 10,000 cyber warriors. In March the following year, the party formed a 22-member cyber monitoring sub-committee to counter campaigns against them. These very members are now active online during the party’s crisis period. Initially active on Telegram and Messenger, they now use various paid applications.
In this situation, the interim government announced in May this year that Awami League’s activities in cyberspace were banned. Under the decision, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) was supposed to take steps to shut down the party’s Facebook page and other online operations. However, instead of shutting down, various programmes including “Lockdown” are being broadcast regularly through verified Facebook pages and online live shows.
DBTech/IH/OR
