Prosecutors submitted an alleged phone recording involving Awami League General Secretary and former road transport minister Obaidul Quader to International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Thursday. The recording was presented on the second day of arguments in a crimes-against-humanity case against Quader and seven senior leaders over events during the July uprising.

According to the prosecution, the recording documents a conversation on July 11, 2024 involving Quader, Bangladesh Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Wali Asif Inan. Quader is heard asking Saddam, “Why are you not beating them?” Saddam replies that police had told them not to confront the protesters. Prosecutors said the remarks encouraged Chhatra League activists.

Arguments in the case began on August 4. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim described the July-August events as a planned, organized and nationwide “systematic crime,” alleging coordinated action by Awami League leaders, law-enforcement agencies and affiliated organizations. The other accused are AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Mohammad A. Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hossain and Wali Asif Inan. The report said all defendants are absconding.