A phone conversation showing then Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader instructing former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak to slow down internet services was submitted to International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Sunday, with prosecutors presenting it as evidence of an alleged conspiracy to shut down the internet and conceal the bloodshed during the July mass uprising. 

On the third day of closing arguments in the case involving crimes against humanity, the prosecution continued presenting its case against seven senior leaders of the Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League.

Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim presented the arguments before the three-member judicial panel headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

According to the conversation submitted to the tribunal, Quader instructed Palak to make the internet “a little slower”. Palak then asked whether he should first seek permission from the leader first (Sheikh Hasina), to which Quader replied “Get it.”

Earlier, on Thursday, another phone conversation between Quader and Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain was submitted to the tribunal. In that conversation, Quader allegedly encouraged and provoked Saddam to attack protesters.

Prosecutors Faruk Ahmed, Sultan Mahmud and Shahidul Islam Sardar were also present during Sunday’s proceedings. 

Lawyers representing the accused were present as well.

Along with Obaidul Quader, the other six accused in the case are AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammed Ali Arafat; Jubo League President Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash; its General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain; and its General Secretary Wali Asif Enan.

All seven accused are absconding.