Sheikh Hasina audio clip | A leaked audio recording has surfaced implicating former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the deadly 2024 crackdown on student-led protests. Verified by BBC Eye and forensic experts, the recording reveals Hasina authorising her forces to “use lethal weapons” against demonstrators—orders that allegedly led to the deaths of up to 1,400 people, according to UN investigators.
In the call, reportedly made on July 18, 2024 from her residence in Dhaka, Hasina can be heard saying, “Wherever they find [them], they will shoot.” The BBC confirmed the authenticity of the audio using voice-matching by Bangladesh Police and forensic analysis conducted by Earshot.
“Looking back at July 2024,
BBC Bengali found the authenticity of Sheikh Hasina’s audio recording instructing to fire.”
ফিরে দেখা জুলাই ২০২৪,
গুলির নির্দেশ দেয়া শেখ হাসিনার অডিও রেকর্ডের সত্যতা পেয়েছে বিবিসি বাংলা pic.twitter.com/b1RgWFBTN6— Mohammad Osman Faruq (@MohammadOsmanF3) July 9, 2025
The incident marks one of the most violent episodes in Bangladesh since the 1971 war of independence and has triggered an international outcry.
Prosecutors Use Recording in Hasina’s War Crimes Trial
Prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh are using the recording as key evidence in their case against Hasina, who is being tried in absentia for crimes against humanity. The tribunal has indicted 203 individuals, including former government and police officials. Seventy-three of the accused are currently in custody.
British human rights barrister Toby Cadman, advising the ICT, said the recordings were critical to proving Hasina’s involvement, describing them as “clear and properly authenticated.”
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The unrest began over civil service job quotas and escalated into widespread demonstrations, culminating in the ousting of Hasina from power. She fled to India on 5 August 2024, hours before protesters stormed her residence in Dhaka.
BBC Eye’s investigation further uncovered new details of the massacre in Dhaka’s Jatrabari neighbourhood, where at least 52 people were shot dead by police. Earlier reports had estimated 30 casualties. The violence erupted after army personnel vacated the area, leaving police forces free to open fire.
Awami League Denies Wrongdoing Amid Rising International Scrutiny
The Awami League has rejected the allegations, calling the leaked tape’s intent “disproportionate” and denying Hasina or any senior leader gave unlawful orders. “The decisions made were proportionate in nature, made in good faith and intended to minimise the loss of life,” a party spokesperson said.
India has yet to respond to Bangladesh’s extradition request for Hasina. Meanwhile, the country is now governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which is preparing for upcoming national elections.
