Al Jazeera's Investigative Unit (I-Unit) has released newly obtained covert phone recordings, exposing how former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the use of lethal force against protesters during the July 2024 uprising. The recordings, part of a documentary titled Hasina: The 36 Days of July, provide detailed insights into the internal discussions, decisions, and suppression tactics of Hasina’s inner circle during the movement.Direct Orders for Lethal Force and Helicopter Shootings
According to Al Jazeera, the leaked recordings include multiple phone conversations in which Sheikh Hasina explicitly ordered an "open order" to shoot students. The recordings also reveal incidents of gunfire from helicopters. In one conversation dated July 18, 2024, Hasina is heard telling former Dhaka South Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, “My instructions were given long ago. I’ve given a complete open order. Now they will strike, shoot wherever they find them... I was holding back all this time. I was thinking about the students’ safety.”
In another recording, she stated, “Wherever they see a gathering, it’s from above—shooting from above has already started in some places. It’s begun. Some have been cleared.” The documentary includes confirmation from a doctor that many protesters were killed or injured by gunfire from helicopters.
1,500 Killed, Over 3 Million Rounds Fired
Al Jazeera claims that the three-week-long uprising resulted in approximately 1,500 deaths and over 25,000 injuries, with government-aligned security forces firing more than 3 million rounds of ammunition. On August 5, 2024, in Dhaka’s Jatrabari, at least 52 people were killed by police gunfire, marking one of the deadliest instances of police violence in Bangladesh’s history.
Abu Sayeed Killing: Postmortem Altered Five Times
The killing of student leader Abu Sayeed, a prominent figure in the uprising, sparked widespread outrage. The documentary alleges that the government attempted to suppress the incident through threats and bribes. Sheikh Hasina’s advisor, Salman F Rahman, was actively involved in securing Abu Sayeed’s postmortem report. Investigations revealed that the report was altered five times to remove any mention of gunfire. Later, Abu Sayeed’s terrified family was made to meet Hasina on state television.
Internet Shutdown Strategy
Al Jazeera’s report, based on leaked confidential documents, shows how Hasina’s government shut down the internet for 11 days to conceal images of violence from the global community, preventing videos of police attacks and killings from spreading on social media.
Awami League’s Response: Denial of Recordings
In a statement to Al Jazeera, the Awami League denied that Sheikh Hasina ever ordered the use of “lethal weapons” and dismissed the July 18 recording as fake. While expressing regret over the trauma faced by Abu Sayeed’s family, the party claimed Hasina was keen on investigating security forces’ misconduct. They attributed the internet shutdown to damage to infrastructure caused by protesters’ “vandalism.”
Verification and Legal Actions
The BBC has verified the leaked audio, with Bangladesh Police’s Criminal Investigation Department confirming it matches Sheikh Hasina’s voice. Audio forensic expert Yarshot confirmed the recording was neither edited nor artificially generated. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh plans to use the recording as key evidence in a crimes-against-humanity case against Hasina. Charges have been framed against 203 individuals, including Hasina, with 73 currently in custody.
Hasina’s Downfall
The student-led protests, initially sparked by opposition to government job quotas in July 2024, evolved into a mass uprising against Hasina’s 15-year rule. On August 5, 2024, Hasina fled to India by helicopter. According to the United Nations, around 1,400 people were killed during the protests, most by security forces’ gunfire.
Al Jazeera is set to release a new report today, detailing the final moments of Sheikh Hasina’s regime and the harrowing events of the “36 Days of July.”
https://youtu.be/HqmtEzyOTaE
