Sheikh Rehana told Salman F Rahman to ‘leave immediately’ before fleeing country: ICT hearing

As former prime minister Sheikh Hasina prepared to leave the country amid the student-led mass uprising in July last year, several ministers, state ministers and advisers were reportedly urged to flee as well.

One of them was her adviser Salman F Rahman, who received a phone call from Sheikh Hasina's sister Sheikh Rehana asking him to move to a "safe zone" immediately.

The phone conversation was presented before the International Crimes Tribunal today (18 May) during testimony in a case over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising, including incitement to mass killings under curfew.

The day's hearing was scheduled for testimony in the case against Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq.

CID forensic expert Sub-Inspector Atikur Rahman testified as the ninth prosecution witness before Tribunal-1 led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder.

On behalf of the prosecution, Prosecutor Shahidul Islam Sardar conducted the hearing in the tribunal. Prosecutors Abdus Sattar Palowan, Sultan Mahmud, Mamunur Rashid, Marzina Raihan and others were also present.

Meanwhile, although the testimony of Atikur Rahman ended, defence lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury sought time for cross-examination. Later, the tribunal fixed 8 June as the next date.

After the testimony, the tribunal played a recorded phone conversation between Sheikh Rehana and Salman F Rahman.

The two-minute and nine-second conversation is transcribed below –

Salman: Hello.

Colonel Rajib: Assalamualaikum sir. Sir, Colonel Rajib speaking sir. Rehana Apa will speak to you.

Salman: Who?

Colonel Rajib: Rehana Apa, Rehana Apa.

Rehana: Assalamualaikum brother.

Salman: Yes, Walaikumassalam.

Rehana: Yes, where are you?

Salman: I am at my house.

Rehana: Don't stay there.

Salman: I won't stay, yes okay.

Rehana: We are at another place, we mean Bobby, Tulip are convincing her [Sheikh Hasina]... Even if we can't call, if Allah keeps us alive, we will talk.

Salman: Okay, so you have moved to another place? Apa has also gone?

Rehana: Yes brother. So you...

Salman: If we can get out, we will leave. Shall we get Anisul Huq out too?

Rehana: Yes, yes, whatever happens you immediately do what Shayan and Joy said.

Salman: Okay, okay. Okay.

Rehana: Don't delay even for a second. Because they went to Sompa's house and took photos and all around there are bearded men in white robes and all that. You should leave as soon as possible. And I am convincing…we will do whatever there is. It is not safe at all to stay here.

Salman: Okay fine then will martial law be declared or not?

Rehana: Leave those things now, you should leave immediately.

Salman: Okay.

Rehana: Yes brother, fi amanillah, pray for us.

Salman: Fi amanillah.

Rehana: Assalamualaikum.

Salman: Walaikumassalam.

Salman F Rahman was seen listening to this conversation very attentively. However, just before that he spoke with Anisul Huq while sitting in the dock.