The prosecution on Tuesday presented a phone conversation in which former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat allegedly threatened to shut down television channels if they broadcast footage or images of clashes during the July Mass Uprising.
The conversation was presented on the fourth day of arguments in the case against seven accused, including former road transport and bridges minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, over crimes against humanity committed during the uprising.
The International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Chairman Justice Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, began hearing the prosecution's arguments on Monday.
During the hearing, a recording of a conversation between Quader and Arafat was presented to the tribunal.
In the conversation, Quader is heard saying: “Those who do not listen, strict action must be taken against the TV channels…”
Arafat replied: “We shut down one or two yesterday. I have told them today as well that those who do not listen should be shut down immediately.”
Quader then said: “They should not report any clashes today.”
Arafat replied that channels showing footage or images of clashes would be declared “enemy of the state” and shut down permanently.
He also said arrangements had been made through Bangabandhu Satellite to monitor television channels and instructed that any channel showing images of clashes be shut down immediately.
Arafat further told Quader that he had given blanket permission to take such action without seeking his approval and that the channels should not be restored without his permission.
The prosecution is presenting arguments in the case against seven accused.
Besides Quader, the accused are banned Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim; former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat; Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil; and banned Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
