In a major development that has reignited national and international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s political past, a verified audio recording — disclosed by BBC Eye — reportedly captures former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina authorising security forces to use lethal weapons against student-led protesters during the country’s 2024 uprising. The recording is becoming a central piece of evidence in her ongoing trial for crimes against humanity. The allegations stem from protests last year that turned deadly and escalated into nationwide unrest, ultimately ending her 15-year rule.
The conversation, dated 18 July 2024, allegedly features Sheikh Hasina instructing security personnel to “use lethal weapons” and “shoot wherever they find [them]”, in reference to protestors. Independent forensic analysis commissioned by the BBC reportedly found no traces of tampering or synthetic editing, while domestic investigators matched the voice to public samples of Hasina’s speech. Legal and human-rights experts hail the recording as among the strongest evidence to date of state-authorised violence. Meanwhile the former Prime Minister and her political party, the Awami League, categorically deny having given any unlawful order — questioning both the authenticity of the clip and the legitimacy of the proceedings against her.
Background: How the 2024 Protests Spiralled into a Deadly Crackdown
The unrest in Bangladesh began in July 2024, when university students launched protests against a controversial government policy that reserved a quota of civil service jobs for descendants of 1971 war-veterans. What began as a demand for quota reform quickly evolved into a nationwide uprising, fuelled by broader grievances over governance, inequality, and repression. Security forces responded with heavy-handed tactics, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and — according to multiple later reports — live ammunition.
The protests culminated on 5 August 2024, when demonstrators stormed government buildings, including the residence of Sheikh Hasina, prompting her to flee the country. The violent suppression of the uprising left hundreds dead, thousands injured, and led to a dramatic political realignment as Hasina’s government collapsed. In the aftermath, domestic and international rights groups documented widespread abuse — from mass arrests to alleged killings — raising questions of accountability under international law.
The “Leaked Audio” — What It Contains and How It Was Verified
According to public media reports, the critical audio recording dates to 18 July 2024, at a time when protests were intensifying across Dhaka and other cities. In the clip, the voice attributed to Sheikh Hasina is heard ordering security forces to “use lethal weapons” against protesters, specifying: “wherever they find [them], they will shoot.” These instructions, if genuine, constitute a direct command for lethal force against civilians, and are central to ongoing legal proceedings against her.
The authentication process reportedly involved several layers: first, Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) matched the voice in the clip to known, verified recordings of Sheikh Hasina. Second, the BBC commissioned the UK-based forensic audio analysis firm Earshot to examine the recording. Earshot’s analysis reportedly found no evidence of editing, splicing or synthetic generation. Crucially, the team detected presence of “Electric Network Frequency” (ENF), a kind of ambient electrical interference that is very difficult to fake — but common in genuine recordings made on mains-powered devices. This, investigators say, strongly supports the clip’s authenticity.
In addition, video, drone, CCTV, and mobile-phone footage compiled by investigative journalists and human rights monitors describe the deployment of military-grade rifles across Dhaka in the days following the call. This corroborates the timeline — showing that lethal force was indeed used shortly after the alleged orders. In at least one documented incident in the Jatrabari area on 5 August 2024, police opened fire on fleeing demonstrators for over 30 minutes, resulting in dozens of fatalities.
Legal Impact: Why the Clip Matters for Crimes-Against-Humanity Allegations
The leaked audio is now being used as pivotal evidence in a trial against Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)-1, which has charged her with crimes against humanity. Prosecutors argue that the call shows she personally ordered widespread use of lethal force, a factor that could establish her individual responsibility for mass civilian deaths during the crackdown.
Human-rights groups and UN-linked investigators have estimated that up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the protests — though exact death tolls remain contested. In their 2025 report, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) described the use of disproportionate force and widespread abuses — including killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture — as systemic, raising the possibility that the crackdown may constitute crimes against humanity under international law.
The audio’s alleged authenticity adds unprecedented weight to these claims. Legal analysts suggest that if the tribunal upholds the recording’s validity, it could set a landmark precedent. It would underscore an individual leader’s direct role in authorising mass violence — a rare but powerful demonstration of accountability that could resonate beyond Bangladesh.
Reactions: Denial, Doubts, and International Attention
Shortly after the BBC published its findings, the Awami League responded with strong denials. Party spokespeople argued that the tape does not reflect any plan for “illegal intention” or “disproportionate response,” suggesting the call — even if genuine — may have been taken out of context or misrepresented. They urged for caution, highlighting that multiple investigations into the events of 2024 are still ongoing.
The former Prime Minister herself has refused to return to Bangladesh from exile in India, dismissing the trial as politically motivated and a “farce.” Her lawyers have reportedly challenged both the circumstances in which the recording surfaced and the conditions under which it was authenticated.
Internationally, major rights organisations and global media outlets have called for transparency, a full public release of the recording and supporting evidence, and an independent inquiry into the crackdown. Some experts warn that political pressure and instability could hinder justice — but see the tribunal’s handling of the case as a critical test for Bangladesh’s post-uprising future.
Broader Consequences: Politics, Justice, and National Reckoning
The fallout from the leaked audio and subsequent trial could reshape the political landscape of Bangladesh. For decades, calls for accountability — for political violence, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of dissent — have largely gone unanswered. If the tribunal convicts senior officials based on robust, verified evidence, it may mark a turning point in the country’s struggle for justice and institutional reform.
Moreover, the case highlights broader issues about transparency, media freedom, and digital evidence in the modern age. The forensic methods used to verify the audio — including ENF analysis — may set new benchmarks for what qualifies as admissible evidence in prosecutions of state-sponsored violence. That could strengthen accountability globally, especially in countries where repressive regimes rely on recorded conversations and surveillance to assert control.
At the same time, risks remain. The political environment is volatile, and public trust in institutions is fragile. Critics warn that rushed prosecutions or perceived political bias could deepen divisions, sparking further unrest. Ensuring due process, transparency, and fair trials will thus be critical not only for justice but for national reconciliation.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Bangladesh’s Justice Process
As the tribunal proceeds, a number of possible outcomes are being closely monitored: a conviction based on the audio and other evidence; partial rulings; or, potentially, delays and legal challenges. International observers have stressed the need for a robust, impartial process that meets global standards for fair trials. The ICT’s rulings may influence not just domestic politics, but also Bangladesh’s relations with foreign governments and international institutions concerned about human rights and rule of law.
For victims’ families — many of whom lost loved ones in the protests — the trial represents a rare opportunity for formal recognition of their suffering, accountability, and perhaps restitution. For the broader public, it may offer a moment of national reckoning: an opening to confront past abuses, strengthen institutions, and rebuild trust in governance. But the path will be fraught, requiring transparency, impartiality, and institutional resilience.
Conclusion
The release and forensic verification of a leaked audio recording in which former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina allegedly orders security forces to “shoot on sight” represent a watershed moment in Bangladesh’s fraught political history. If accepted as evidence, it could cement her personal responsibility for the lethal crackdown on last year’s protests and lead to convictions under crimes-against-humanity charges. The case — at once legal, moral and political — underlines the urgent need for accountability, transparency and justice in Bangladesh’s ongoing transition. As the international community watches, what happens next in the courtroom may well shape the country’s future trajectory toward human rights, institutional reform, and democratic governance.
