The prosecution has presented forensic-verified call records involving Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and several other party leaders to the International Crimes Tribunal-2 as evidence in a case concerning crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.
During the proceedings on Sunday, 9 August, the prosecution argued that these conversations, recorded during the height of the student-led movement, provide critical evidence of the defendants’ roles in the events.
At 5:03pm on 16 July 2024, Quader spoke with the then state minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
Quader: Slow it down a bit.
Palak: Ji?
Quader: The internet.
Palak: Let me take the leader’s [netri/the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina] permission first.
Quader: Go take it.
Palak: …It is said that if she doesn’t say so…
Quader: No, no, ask her and then tell.
On 31 July 2024, at 1:53pm, a conversation was recorded between Quader and the then home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal regarding administrative matters.
Quader: When are you giving [it]?
Kamal: I haven’t processed the file procedure yet. I will talk to the law minister and start the process.
Quader: You will give it today?
Kamal: Yes, the law minister said so… the file will go from here to the law ministry. It will be final after the prime minister’s initial.
Quader: So, it is not happening before night.
Kamal: Not before night. You said it correctly.
‘Recover the campus’: Coordination in Rajshahi
Records from 16 July 2024 at 6:18pm show Quader speaking with Rajshahi Awami League leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.
Quader: Rajshahi, I told you so many times.
Liton: We are at Zero Point, at our party office. Those who were here have been moved… they have gone towards the university. The city is in our hands.
Quader: The city is there, but they have occupied the university.
Liton: We are repeatedly telling the administration… we need their cooperation.
Quader: What does the DIG say?
Liton: …I have informed the additional police commissioner, divisional commissioner, DC, and RAB. They are going a bit slow, I don’t understand why.
Quader: What is the latest news from Rajshahi University?
Liton: …The campus is in their hands. The vice-chancellor is in Dhaka and has started [his journey to be] here. When he arrives, we have to meet and go for an action.
Quader: The campus is under their control now?
Liton: Their numbers are very high… our Chhatra League fought them in the first phase… we are preparing again.
Quader: Can’t you bring people from the city and surrounding districts like Chapai [Chapainawabganj] and Naogaon? Chhatra League.
Liton: Inshallah, it can be done.
Quader: Then look into it. Recover the campus.
Liton: Ji, ji, Inshallah.
‘Make it an issue’: The Chattogram Call
Another record from 16 July 2024, timed at 6:23pm, reveals a conversation between Obaidul Quader and Chattogram Awami League leader AJM Nasir Uddin.
Quader: Hello Nasir, what are you doing?
Nasir: Assalamu Alaikum. I have been fighting since yesterday. Today is no different… the whole world… the fighting is still ongoing.
Quader: Not at the university? The university is [filled with] Shibir, right?
Nasir: No, no, no. The university is completely under control. 100 per cent under control. Not the university. In Chattogram now, it is the university, Chittagong College. Everything is under control. Only in one place, Muradpur, there is a fight with them. They came from different places and it has been ongoing since about 2pm.
Quader: What will happen in Muradpur?
Nasir: It is just one place… the rest of Chattogram is under control.
Quader: Okay, I am giving [the phone]…
Nasir: Stay 100 per cent assured, Inshallah. Jahangir Kabir Nanak then joined the call.
Nanak then joined in the conversation.
Nanak: What is the situation?
Nasir: …In Muradpur, Shibir has taken a position. A fight broke out and three people have died so far, do you understand? Gunfire is ongoing.
Nanak: Who are the three? Who died?
Nasir: There is a pedestrian, one of theirs, and one of ours. And many are injured… both sides.
Nanak: Nasir Bhai… perform the funeral for the person who died. Make it an issue.
Nasir: Okay. I am trying to make it an issue. The body has been sent to the hospital. I will confirm it and then proceed.
Nanak: Make it an issue, make it an issue.
