Witness 4: Mahreen Hasan.
Defence (Advocate Aminul Ghani Titto): We were completely unaware of this witness. We only found out this morning. We haven’t come prepared.
Chief Prosecutor: She is a cancer patient. She may be unavailable in the near future for her treatment.
[Tribunal allows taking examination-in-chief of the witness]
Evidence given by Mahreen Hasan
My name is Mahreen Hasan. Age 39. My father’s name is [redacted]
Tribunal: Give your deposition.
Witness: I am currently working as a Deputy Director in the Spectrum Division of BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission).
Chief Prosecutor: Tell us from July 18th. Where were you working then?
Witness: On July 18, 2024, I was working as a Deputy Director in the Engineering and Operations Division of BTRC. On July 18th at 7:00 PM, the then Director General (DG) of BTRC, Kazi Mostafizur Rahman, informed me over the phone that the then State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak had instructed the then BTRC Chairman, Engineer Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, to shut down the upstream of the International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) operators. The then DG, Kazi Mostafizur Rahman, instructed me to open a WhatsApp group to inform the Terrestrial Cable operators of this instruction. In light of that instruction, I opened a WhatsApp group named “ITC Operations” on July 18th from my official mobile number 01552202789, including the International Terrestrial Cable operators. The WhatsApp group was formed with the then DG Kazi Mostafizur Rahman, Khalid from Summit Communications Limited, Moshiur from Fiber@Home, Aziz from Novocom, someone from BD Link, Zahid from Mango, Anwar Masud from BTCL, and Wahab from BSPLC. After opening this WhatsApp group, I informed our Director General of the matter. He then made a group call. During the group call, the then DG informed the International Terrestrial Cable operators of the government’s instruction regarding the shutdown of the upstream (Internet Bandwidth).
Palak: (Raising objection) I have a request, Honorable Chief Prosecutor. The witness is using technical terms in her own way. I request that no words be forcefully extracted from her.
Tribunal: There are learned lawyers here to protect your interests. Have trust upon them.
The internet was shut down through the operators on July 18, 2024, at approximately 9:00 PM. The then Director General (DG) instructed me to send an SMS in a previously formed group of IIG (International Internet Gateway) operators. The SMS was: “As per the instruction, I am directed to inform you to shut down the internet from your IIG and send done after completion.”
This SMS was sent out as per instructions before the internet was shut down. The internet was then shut down. It remained completely shut down from 9:00 PM on July 18, 2024, until the afternoon of July 23, 2024. Subsequently, on July 23, 2024, the then State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak, in a meeting with representatives from the IIG and various media outlets, gave instructions to restore the internet in a limited capacity in several key locations (such as banks, the Parliament building, cantonments, etc.), while keeping Facebook, YouTube and TikTok blocked.
[Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim interrupted possibly because the witness missed deposing some parts. The Chief Prosecutor said to him it will not matter if one or two words are missed by the witness. The Tribunal judge said that Prosecutor Tamim has been working hard since the beginning. He added that the prosecutor is so vigilant that even a single word does not miss from the witness deposition record and this is much appreciated.]
On approximately July 30, 2024, the then State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak once again gave instructions through our Chairman to restore the internet. All the activities mentioned above were approved by the higher authorities through formal records, which are documented. The mobile handset from which the WhatsApp group was operated was seized by the IO (Investigating Officer).
[The Defence Advocate sought time for starting the cross-examination. The Tribunal then addressed him and the Prosecutors saying, “There is nothing in this law that the Prosecutors will need to give notice to the Defence Lawyers every time they produce a new witness. The Prosecutors are not bound to do it. The list of the PWs is already given to the Defence in the beginning.” The Defence said that the custom has been such as to give notice before presenting the PW. The Tribunal did not approve of the submission. However, it did set a later date.]
Next date: 19 April 2026.