Former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak has confessed the nationwide internet shut down was a deliberate move on Sheikh Hasina’s orders.
His testimony was recorded by ICT's investigation agency following a questioning session held yesterday, Chief Prosecutor Md Tajul Islam said while addressing journalists at the tribunal this noon.
Tajul said: “They (Hasina and Awami League lawmakers) wanted to ensure that Bangladesh was disconnected from the rest of the world and hide the instances of mass killings during the July-August movement.”
According to the chief prosecutor, Palak also said that the reason he had showcased for the internet blackout during that period due to a fire incident on data centres in Dhaka's Mohakhali and the destruction on the telecommunication infrastructure carried out by some miscreants – was false.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
