The internet blackout that occurred in July and August was not an accident but carried out under direct orders from the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to former State Minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
He shared this information with the tribunal`s investigation team.
On Thursday, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, Tazul Islam, informed reporters that Palak disclosed this detail during questioning.
"He himself admitted that this internet shutdown was executed after a direct order from the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The State Minister for ICT gave the instruction, and a WhatsApp group was created for the IIG (International Internet Gateway). In that group, the directive was given to immediately shut down the internet, and they were told to ensure it was done, and then report back saying, `It is done,`" said Tazul Islam.
He further explained, "We obtained this information from different sources, and to verify it, we questioned the accused involved, who confirmed the details."
Tazul also added that the internet shutdown was an attempt to cover up the violence and killings that took place during those months.
At the time of the nationwide internet shutdown, which coincided with the quota reform protests, Palak had claimed that the disruption was caused by a fire at a data center and damage to the submarine cables.
A message was sent out to the public via mobile phones stating, "Due to terrorists setting fire to the data center and burning ISP cables, internet services across the country have been disrupted. Repairs will take time."
Later, on August 13, a preliminary report from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology’s investigation committee revealed that Palak, along with BTRC and NTMC, was directly involved in the decision to cut internet access.
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