‘Why aren’t you attacking them?’ Tribunal hears call recording of Quader asking BCL chief

The International Crimes Tribunal today (6 August) heard an audio recording in which former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader is allegedly heard asking Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) President Saddam Hossain, “Why aren’t you attacking them?” during the July Uprising. Saddam is heard replying, “The police have told us not to confront them.”

The prosecution submitted the recording as a key piece of evidence on the second day of closing arguments in the crimes against humanity case against seven senior leaders of the now-banned Awami League before International Crimes Tribunal-2, led by Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

According to the prosecution, on 11 July 2024, then Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader directly telephoned BCL President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan, instructing them to attack protesting students. The prosecution presented the call recording in support of the allegation.

In the recording, Quader is heard asking Saddam, “Why aren’t you attacking them?” Saddam replies, “The police have told us not to confront them.” The prosecution argued that Quader’s remarks emboldened BCL activists to carry out attacks on protesters.

The prosecution began presenting its closing arguments on 4 August. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim argued that the crimes against humanity committed during the July-August Uprising were not isolated incidents but constituted a planned, coordinated and systematic campaign carried out across the country.

He alleged that the Awami League’s central leadership, law enforcement agencies and the party’s affiliated organisations worked in concert to suppress the movement.

Tamim further alleged that after then prime minister Sheikh Hasina labelled the protesting students as “Razakars”, Obaidul Quader instructed BCL activists to take to the streets. He said BCL and Awami Jubo League activists subsequently launched attacks on protesters in the Dhaka University area and other parts of the country, resulting in numerous deaths during the July-August uprising.

Besides Quader, the other accused are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Awami Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, BCL President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Wali Asif Inan.

All seven accused remain absconding.

The tribunal concluded testimony from the investigation officer and 27 other witnesses on 2 August.

On 22 January this year, the tribunal formally commenced the trial by framing charges against the seven accused.