A police officer on Tuesday testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he received a wireless message on July 17, 2024, from the then Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner Habibur Rahman, ordering the use of maximum force against protesters of 2024 July mass uprising.
Assistant sub-inspector Kamrul Hasan, who was on duty as a wireless operator at the DMP鈥檚 Crime Command and Control Centre, appeared as the 50th prosecution witness in the crimes against humanity case against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and ex-inspector general of police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.
The case involves allegations of command responsibility during the July 2024 mass uprising.
Kamrul said that the DMP commissioner instructed police units to 鈥榮hoot protesters below the waist鈥� sitting on their knees, to protect lives and public property.
鈥業 am giving you freedom to shoot below the waist, supporting on their knees, to prevent protesters and protect lives and property. You may use your highest power based on the situation,鈥� the wireless message reportedly said.
Kamrul testified that the message was broadcast between 11:00am and 11:30am on July 17, 2024.
He also claimed that commissioner Habibur Rahman ordered the use of Chinese rifles, although the audio message did not specifically mention any weapon type.
CID forensic expert Shahed Zubayer Lorence also testified, confirming the authenticity of audio conversations between Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president Hasanul Haq Inu.
In those conversations, Hasina allegedly admitted to ordering bomb attacks on student protesters.
On Monday, Sabrina Afroza Sebonti, sister of July 2024 martyr Mahamudur Rahman Saikat, also testified. She stated that she heard the controversial audio clip circulating on social media, in which the order to shoot was allegedly issued.
