Hasina ordered arson attacks on July protesters' homes, businesses: Call record submitted in ICT

Then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina ordered her supporters to set fire to the homes, vehicles, and businesses of those who had torched the Setu Bhaban and other establishments in Dhaka during the 2024 July Uprising, according to a call recording submitted by the prosecution to the International Crimes Tribunal today (11 August).

The conversation involved Hasina, then-road transport and bridges minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, and erstwhile foreign minister Hasan Mahmud.

"They [protesters] will burn things down, but they also have homes and vehicles. Now the public will burn those too… There is no point doing anything else now. Come, if you burn things, we will do that too," Hasina can be heard saying in the recorded phone conversation.

The prosecution was scheduled to present its arguments for the fifth day today in a crimes against humanity case against seven people, including Quader, over alleged offences committed during the July Uprising. 

The tribunal was also expected to listen to the recording during the hearing.

The other accused in the case are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat; Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and Chhatra League President Saddam Hussain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.

The recording

Hasan Mahmud begins the conversation by greeting Hasina.

Hasina asks whether he had called her. Hasan says he had, but accidentally, and apologises.

She then says the protesters were regrouping. Hasan tells her that she had given instructions to Quader.

Hasina responds that their supporters should remain in place, adding that if the protesters burnt their property, have the public burn the protesters' homes and vehicles.

She says there was no point doing anything else and calls for retaliation. 

Hasan agrees, describing it as "tit for tat".

He says Quader was there with him and that they would attend a scheduled gayebana janaza (absentee funeral prayer) before returning to their respective neighbourhoods.

Hasina tells him to organise people across different areas and make arrangements that involve all party leaders and activists. 

Hasan then says he will hand the phone to Quader.

Hasina instructs them to call every MP and notify them that each area must be protected. Quader responds in agreement. 

Hasina then tells Quader, "...they are setting fire to your Setu Bhaban again. I am sending RAB. I told them wherever there is a gathering, send RAB everywhere...

"And they are setting fire; do they not have homes? Now there is no time to sit idle. They are setting fire to our homes; the public will set fire to their homes. Find out what business establishments they have. Today their only job is to sit everywhere and just start fires…"

Quader agrees, saying the police commissioner had made the same point and that they had to stop the protesters.

Charges framed 

The International Crimes Tribunal on 22 January framed charges against the seven accused, including Quader, over alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising.

Earlier, on 18 December 2025, the tribunal issued arrest warrants for the seven after taking cognisance of the charges filed against them.

Hasina's extradition sought

Following Hasina's escape to India after her ouster on 5 August 2024, her presence and political remarks from New Delhi have emerged as a primary bone of contention straining Dhaka–Delhi relations.

During a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in Dhaka yesterday, Bangladesh asked India to expedite Hasina's extradition and send back those accused in the murder of July Uprising activist Sharif Osman Hadi.