A deputy director from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) Spectrum Division testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the nationwide internet shutdown on 18 July 2024 was carried out under instructions from then State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The witness, whose identity remains confidential under court order, said he was informed by then BTRC Director General Kazi Mostafizur Rahman that Palak had directed the BTRC chairman to suspend upstream connections of international terrestrial cable operators. Following this, a WhatsApp group named “18 July ICT Operation” was created to coordinate the shutdown.
According to the testimony, the internet was completely disconnected from 9 p.m. on 18 July until the afternoon of 23 July 2024. Later, Palak instructed limited restoration of internet access for key institutions such as banks, parliament, and cantonments, while keeping social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok blocked. On 31 July, he reportedly ordered full restoration of internet services through the BTRC chairman.
The testimony was given as the fourth witness statement in a case involving Sajib Wazed Joy and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, both accused in connection with the July killings.
স্টাফ রিপোর্টার প্রকাশ : ১৬ এপ্রিল ২০২৬, ১৯: ৫২ জুলাই গণহত্যার দায়ে মৃত্যুদণ্ডপ্রাপ্ত শেখ হাসিনার ছেলে ও তার আইসিটি উপদেষ্টা সজীব ওয়াজেদ জয় এবং সাবেক তথ্য ও যোগাযোগপ্রযুক্তি প্রতিমন্ত্রী জুনায়েদ আহমেদ পলকের বিরুদ্ধে চতুর্থতম সাক্ষী হিসেবে জবানবন্দি দ
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