Internet Shutdown Was Ordered by Hasina to Conceal Genocide, Confesses Palak
Former State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak has disclosed that the internet shutdown during July and August was implemented on the orders of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to suppress reports of genocide. Palak made this admission during questioning by the investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal on Wednesday.
Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam informed reporters on Thursday, November 19, that Palak had admitted to this during his testimony. According to Tazul, "The internet was shut down to cover up the genocide that occurred in July and August. This directive came directly from Sheikh Hasina."
The Chief Prosecutor also alleged that former military officer Ziaul Ahsan raised questions about the legitimacy of the tribunal as part of a strategy to discredit its proceedings.
In connection with the July genocide, the tribunal directed that former Superintendent of Police Abdullah Al Kafi be questioned on December 26, former Additional Superintendent of Police Shahidul Islam on December 25, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on December 30.
Previously, in cases related to crimes against humanity during the July-August genocide, the International Crimes Tribunal summoned several high-ranking officials, including former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and former Director General of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) Major General (Retd.) Ziaul Ahsan. Other individuals summoned included former Superintendent of Police for Dhaka District Md. Abdullah Al Kafi, former Deputy Commissioner of Police for Mirpur DMP Md. Jasim Uddin Molla, former Additional Superintendent of Police for Savar Circle Md. Shahidur Islam, former Officer-in-Charge of Gulshan Police Station Mazharul Haque, former Officer-in-Charge of Jatrabari Police Station Abul Hasan, and former Inspector of Dhaka North DB Md. Arafat Hossain.
The tribunal's ongoing investigation and hearings underscore the gravity of the allegations of crimes against humanity and efforts to obstruct justice.
