A senior state-run telecom official yesterday told International Crimes Tribunal-1 that a nationwide internet shutdown on July 18, 2024, was ordered and executed in phases – from international gateways to submarine cables – under directives from regulators and the then ICT state minister.
Mirza Kamal Ahmed, then acting managing director of Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited, said the order was conveyed through BTRC-run WhatsApp groups.
Kamal, the incumbent BTCL deputy managing director, testified as a prosecution witness in a crimes against humanity case involving Sajeeb Wazed Joy and former ICT state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak.
He said a group, “18th July ITC Operations”, was opened around 7:45pm, where BTRC Director General Brig Gen Kazi Mustafizur Rahman relayed the decision via voice call. In another group, “IIG Operations”, operators were instructed to shut services and confirm compliance.
Kamal said he was “astonished” by the order to cut submarine bandwidth at Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata – an unprecedented move.
Around 8:00pm, he received confirmation and a direct call from the BTRC DG to shut down submarine connectivity, after IIG and ITC operators had already suspended bandwidth.
Around 9:00pm, Palak called and asked why the submarine shutdown had not been enforced and how long it would take.
Kamal said 15 minutes and, on instruction, ordered the closure of both submarine cables.
He said services were partially restored on July 23 after a BTRC meeting, with submarine bandwidth resuming around 8:45pm following Palak’s press briefing. Another shutdown order on August 5, around 10:00am, was implemented within an hour and lifted later that afternoon.
Kamal submitted call records, a forwarding report signed by Teletalk officials, and screenshots of the WhatsApp groups.
According to the prosecution, Palak, with Joy’s approval, ordered the shutdown to conceal alleged atrocities and directed law enforcers and ruling party activists to open fire on demonstrators.
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