Prosecution submitted new call recordings to a tribunal on Monday morning alleging that Obaidul Quader instructed former Information and Broadcasting Minister Mohammad Ali Arafat to shut down television outlets broadcasting reports of attacks on July movement activists. The report says the recordings were presented in a case concerning crimes against humanity during the mass uprising.

The information emerged during prosecution arguments on Sunday before International Crimes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. Quader, general secretary of the activities-banned Awami League, is among seven accused in the case. Other accused named in the report include A F M Bahuddin Nasim, Mohammad Ali Arafat, Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Saddam Hossain and Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

The prosecution had earlier presented a recording of a conversation between Quader and former State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. In that recording, Quader is heard asking for the internet to be slowed, while Palak says he would seek the leader’s permission. Prosecution arguments began on August 4, continued for a second day on August 6, and were presented for a third day on Monday.