Gono Bhaban kept high-speed internet during blackout via satellite and fake SIMs Despite a nationwide internet blackout during the July-August 2024 movement, a secret technology-driven telecom network was kept operational at Gono Bhaban for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Digital Forensic Team of the International Crimes Tribunal has uncovered crucial evidence revealing this high-tech arrangement and details of her departure.
Investigators found that while public internet access was shut down, high-speed connectivity at Gono Bhaban was maintained via a dedicated backup configuration using the Bangabandhu Satellite (now Bangladesh Satellite) paired with a tower dump on the roof. Digital Forensic Expert Tanvir Hasan Zoha stated, "While internet access was blocked across the country, Gono Bhaban remained connected via Bangabandhu Satellite through custom configuration to run high-speed internet."
Forensic analysis revealed that Sheikh Hasina began sending secret exit messages to relatives on August 1 and made calls to around 70 numbers on August 3, of which 11 were registered under non-existent identities using fake NIDs. Fearing security compromises on August 4, she shifted to satellite phones and staff devices, contacting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar directly via satellite phone to request temporary asylum. After receiving green signal from Delhi, she conducted two final calls—including one registered under her overseas daughter Putul's name active locally—just before fleeing via a special helicopter from Kurmitola Air Movement.
The satellite phone was subsequently recovered from Gono Bhaban. Former military official Ziaul Ahsan, arrested in a disappearance case, had drawn bank-grade power allocations to build a high-capacity private server room dubbed a 'Digital Aynaghar' at his Jolshiri residence to purge communication logs. In response to DigiBanglaTech.news reporter, forensic expert Tanvir Hasan Zoha confirmed over phone, "Power was allocated to that house equivalent to what is required to run a bank or a data center." Regarding the recovered device, he added, "Messages and audio calls were made from the satellite phone, though no video call evidence was found. An application has been submitted to the Chief Prosecutor to investigate its origin and registration details, which will be revealed upon completion." 
//DBTech/IH/SME//
রবিবার, ২০ সেপ্টেম্বর ২০২৬, ৫ আশ্বিন ১৪৩৩ বঙ্গাব্দ
