How BBC verified Hasina’s leaked audio ordering deadly crackdown during July Uprising | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 10, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 10, 2025
How BBC verified Hasina’s leaked audio ordering deadly crackdown during July Uprising

Bangladesh

TBS Report
10 July, 2025, 02:35 pm
Last modified: 10 July, 2025, 05:58 pm

Related News

  • Govt cancels 'Sir' address directive from Hasina's rule
  • Ex-IGP Mamun becomes states’ witness against Hasina, Kamal
  • July massacre: ICT orders initiating trial in first case against Hasina, deposition to start 3 August
  • The sooner Bangladesh returns to election track, the better: Fakhrul
  • Trump said he threatened to bomb Moscow if Putin attacked Ukraine, 2024 fundraiser: CNN

How BBC verified Hasina’s leaked audio ordering deadly crackdown during July Uprising

Earshot also detected Electric Network Frequency (ENF) throughout the recording, a frequency that's often present in audio recordings due to interference between a recording device and mains-powered equipment, an indicator that the audio has not been manipulated

TBS Report
10 July, 2025, 02:35 pm
Last modified: 10 July, 2025, 05:58 pm
BBC reported that the phone call took place on 18 July last year while Hasina was at Ganabhaban in Dhaka. Photo: TBS
BBC reported that the phone call took place on 18 July last year while Hasina was at Ganabhaban in Dhaka. Photo: TBS

The BBC has verified a leaked audio recording in which former prime minister Sheikh Hasina is heard ordering security forces to open fire on student-led protesters during last year's mass uprising. 

According to the investigation and report jointly produced by BBC Eye and BBC News Bangla, this recording offers one of the most direct and compelling pieces of evidence linking the former premier to the use of lethal force against demonstrators.

The audio, which surfaced online in March this year, captures Hasina instructing an unidentified senior official to "shoot them on sight", referring to protesters.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

In the report, published on Wednesday, citing a source, BBC reported that the phone call took place on 18 July last year while Hasina was at Ganabhaban in Dhaka.

Although the origin of the leak remains unclear, the BBC employed a rigorous multi-stage forensic process to verify its authenticity.

How BBC verified the recording

According to the report, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police had previously matched the voice in the leaked clip with known audio of Hasina.

Additionally, the BBC commissioned Earshot, a forensic audio analysis firm, to independently examine the clip.

Earshot found no evidence of splicing, editing or artificial manipulation. The firm concluded that it was "extremely unlikely" the audio was fake.

The clip appears to have been recorded during a speakerphone conversation, as indicated by specific frequencies and background sounds.

Earshot also detected Electric Network Frequency (ENF) throughout the recording, a frequency that's often present in audio recordings due to interference between a recording device and mains-powered equipment, an indicator that the audio has not been manipulated.

The firm analysed Hasina's tone, breathing patterns, and speech cadence, finding no signs of artificial synthesis or manipulation.

British human rights lawyer Toby Cadman, who is currently an adviser to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), told the BBC, "These recordings are highly significant in establishing Sheikh Hasina's role. They are clear, properly authenticated, and consistent with other forms of evidence."

Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio

According to UN investigators, approximately 1,400 people were killed in the crackdown on protesters between July and August last year.

ICT prosecutors currently trying Hasina for crimes against humanity are expected to present the leaked audio as a key piece of evidence.

Hasina has been residing in India since she fled to the neighbouring country following her ouster through the mass uprising on 5 August last year.

Both Hasina and her party, the Awami League, have denied the allegations.

An Awami League spokesperson told the BBC that they could verify the authenticity of the audio clip. They further claimed that the recording "does not reflect any illegal intent" on Hasina's part.

Top News

Sheikh Hasina / Leaked Audio

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Explainer: Why SSC pass rate hit a 17-year low
  • Council of Advisers' meeting on Thursday (10 July). Photo: CA Press Wing
    Govt cancels 'Sir' address directive from Hasina's rule
  • Sri Lanka cruise to seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in first T20I
    Sri Lanka cruise to seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in first T20I

MOST VIEWED

  • Graphics: TBS
    BB raises startup fund limit, drops upper age barrier
  • Workers pack undergarments at the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora
    After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    SSC, equivalent results: Pass rate drops to 68.45%, GPA-5 also declines
  • File photo of containers at Chattogram port/TBS
    US buyers push Bangladeshi exporters to share extra tariff costs
  • Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
    Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
  • Students sit for SSC exam at Motijheel Girls' High School on 10 April 2025. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    SSC exam results out: Here's how you can check online and via SMS

Related News

  • Govt cancels 'Sir' address directive from Hasina's rule
  • Ex-IGP Mamun becomes states’ witness against Hasina, Kamal
  • July massacre: ICT orders initiating trial in first case against Hasina, deposition to start 3 August
  • The sooner Bangladesh returns to election track, the better: Fakhrul
  • Trump said he threatened to bomb Moscow if Putin attacked Ukraine, 2024 fundraiser: CNN

Features

Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

2h | The Big Picture
Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

5h | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered- have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

5h | Panorama
Women are forced to fish in saline waters every day, risking their health to provide for their families. Photo: TBS

How Mongla’s women are bearing the brunt of rising salinity

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

'Hypocrisy' will not continue, Iran tells IAEA

'Hypocrisy' will not continue, Iran tells IAEA

1h | TBS World
OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

51m | TBS World
Will the title 'Honorable and Excellency' be abolished?

Will the title 'Honorable and Excellency' be abolished?

1h | TBS Today
July Declaration must be constitutionally recognized: Akhtar Hossain

July Declaration must be constitutionally recognized: Akhtar Hossain

1h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net