[🇧🇩] Everything about Hasina's misrule/Laundered Money etc.

Date of Event: Nov 11, 2024

Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/sheikh-hasina-was-a-classic-autocrat-m-sakhawat-hossain

Sheikh Hasina was a classic autocrat: M Sakhawat Hossain
Published :
Aug 05, 2024 22:03
Updated :
Aug 05, 2024 22:03

Sheikh Hasina was a classic autocrat who dismissed the people, and this disdain has led to her current predicament, according to Brigadier General (Retd) M. Sakhawat Hossain, an election analyst and former military officer. In a special interview with UNB news agency over the phone, he expressed these views.
He stated that today's events were inevitable and were bound to happen. "We have seen similar situations in Tunisia, Libya, and Syria. Popular uprisings are unstoppable. The student quota reform movement could have been resolved easily, but due to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's stubbornness, so many people lost their lives."

Hossain criticised the media's portrayal of the casualties, claiming that the true number is closer to 400, with a significant portion being students and young people. He questioned the whereabouts of the remaining bodies, mass graves, and the extent of innocent lives lost. "She has gone, but who will answer for this?" he asked.

He accused the ruling government of carrying out the "most heinous massacre" and of misleading the public by blaming criminals while those responsible were, in fact, their own countrymen. "Such things should not happen in a free country," he remarked.

Hossain also noted that for the past 15 years, people have been unable to vote properly, with widespread election fraud. He stated that Sheikh Hasina should have understood her and her party's unpopularity, and questioned who would be held accountable for the bloodshed. He criticized the severe lack of good governance, which he believes Sheikh Hasina failed to provide.

Furthermore, he alleged that Sheikh Hasina has created criminal gangs within the country and turned the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) into her personal enforcers.

Reflecting on the plight of the family members of the so-called Father of the Nation, he questioned why they had to face such a tragic fate, attributing it to Hasina's arrogance and pride. He drew a parallel with the 2009 BDR mutiny, where 57 army officers were killed, and questioned who would answer for that incident as well.

He criticised Sheikh Hasina's control over TV media and her suppression of free speech, citing it as a reason he avoided talk shows. He claimed he had urged the Prime Minister in various meetings to ensure good governance, but was labelled as an 'agent of the opposition' for his criticisms.

"Today, Sheikh Hasina has fled the country, and now the army has had to take responsibility for the nation's situation," he concluded.​

 

[Saif]

Confiscate S Alam’s Tk 368cr properties

A Dhaka court yesterday ordered the confiscation of 58 acres of immovable properties worth Tk 368 crore belonging to S Alam Group Chairman Mohammed Saiful Alam and his family in connection with allegations of laundering $1 billion to Singapore and several other countries.

www.thedailystar.net

Confiscate S Alam’s Tk 368cr properties
Court orders authorities

A Dhaka court yesterday ordered the confiscation of 58 acres of immovable properties worth Tk 368 crore belonging to S Alam Group Chairman Mohammed Saiful Alam and his family in connection with allegations of laundering $1 billion to Singapore and several other countries.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is conducting an inquiry into corruption allegations against S Alam and his family members.

Judge Md Zakir Hossain of the Metropolitan Senior Special Judge's Court in Dhaka passed the order after the ACC Deputy Director Md Abu Sayeed, head of the inquiry team, submitted an application in this regard.

ACC Public Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam moved the applications on behalf of the anti-graft body.

In the application, the ACC official said it's necessary to get a confiscation order for the 58 acres of land located in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Chattogram, so that the ownership cannot transferred.

On January 16, the same court ordered the freezing of over 321 million shares in 24 companies owned by S Alam and his family members. The value of these shares stands at Tk 350 crore.

On January 14, the same court also ordered the confiscation of immovable properties worth Tk 200 crore and the freezing of 87 bank accounts owned by S Alam, his wife Farzana Parveen and 16 of his family members.

Earlier on October 7 last year, the court issued a travel ban on S Alam, his wife Farzana Parveen and 11 members of his family.​

 

[Saif]

CA’s Press Secretary describes Hasina as 'butcher of Bangladesh'

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has described former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the “butcher of Bangladesh” and said the interim government’s job is to bring her back to Dhaka and try her for “crimes against humanity.” “One of the main r

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA’s Press Secretary describes Hasina as 'butcher of Bangladesh'
FE Online Desk
Published :
Feb 02, 2025 20:52
Updated :
Feb 02, 2025 20:52

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has described former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the “butcher of Bangladesh” and said the interim government’s job is to bring her back to Dhaka and try her for “crimes against humanity.”

“One of the main responsibilities of the interim government is to hold trials of the people who killed protesters during the mass uprising in July,” said Alam on Sunday, mentioning that there has been much hue and cry about his Facebook post from the Ekushey Boi Mela, UNB reports.

While sharing 12 points, the Press Secretary said the interim government is neutral only to its stakeholders - the students and the parties that played their part not only during the uprising but over the years to restore “stolen democracy.”

Naturally, Alam said, the interim government has a firm and unyielding position against the party that imposed “brutal dictatorship, committed grave crimes against humanity and plundered state resources” for 15 long years.

In a long post from his verified Facebook account, he said the interim government is also determined to hold the Bangladesh Awami League, its “enablers, apologists and its lackeys” to account for the massacres, the “thousands of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and the looting” of hundreds of billions of dollars. “Our mandate is to prosecute these crimes,” Alam stressed.

“When we talk — as the spokespeople of the chief adviser -- we generally give updates on the IG's progress and accomplishments. We also talk at length about the crimes of Sheikh Hasina,” said the Press Secretary.

Alam said the people who think he is talking too much about politics or the Awami League and its killings and grand larceny are the AL apologists – “We know what you did all these years. Sorry, I won't stop — until the very last day of my work.”

Alam said Sheikh Hasina is one of the world's most “brutal and corrupt dictators” and he will not hesitate to remind people about the “kind of killer she was”.

“It is a moral position. Besides, if we believe in democracy, we must be able to speak against Hasina for all we want — this is the individual liberty that we speak of in democracy, this is freedom of speech,” he mentioned.

Six months into the mass uprising, Alam said, the AL is still in “denial” and its apologists, leaders, pro-AL journalists, its foreign backers and its supporters are in denial. “They aim to create an alternative history - one in which they are the victims, police are not the aggressors.”​

 

[Saif]

Britain's FBI launches probe against ex-City minister Tulip Siddiq over corruption

Britain's FBI is probing ex-City minister Tulip Siddiq after travelling to Dhaka for a secret summit with investigators associated with the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, the Daily Mail reports. Detectives from the National Crime Agency were told at last month's meeting that the ACC authoriti

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Britain's FBI launches probe against ex-City minister Tulip Siddiq over corruption
bdnews24.com
Published :
Feb 02, 2025 23:57
Updated :
Feb 02, 2025 23:57

Britain's FBI is probing ex-City minister Tulip Siddiq after travelling to Dhaka for a secret summit with investigators associated with the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, the Daily Mail reports.

Detectives from the National Crime Agency were told at last month's meeting that the ACC authorities have amassed new evidence against the Labour MP as they investigate her over a controversial nuclear power plant deal.

The revelation raises the prospect of the British authorities looking into Tulip's bank accounts, email records, and even summoning her for an interview, the report published on Saturday said.

The former UK treasury minister and four family members–including her mother Sheikh Rehana–are being probed over claims that they embezzled £3.9 billion from the Rooppur nuclear power plant, which was built by the Russian state-owned company Rosatom with a 90 per cent loan from the Kremlin.

Tulip was pictured alongside Vladimir Putin at the signing of the deal in 2013.

Citing official sources in Bangladesh, the Daily Mail said the NCA team had offered to investigate Tulip in Britain to “bring about a prosecution” by the Bangladeshi authorities through an international agreement.

On Friday night, the sources said the NCA may also be trying to gather evidence to bring a prosecution against the Hampstead and Highgate MP in the UK, the report read.

British nationals who are found to have received money abroad as bribes can be prosecuted in the UK under the Bribery Act 2010, and jailed for up to ten years.

Bangladeshi officials, who spoke anonymously, said the NCA had requested the meeting, set up by the British High Commission in Dhaka, the Mail said.

It is the second visit the agency has made to Bangladesh since Tulip’s aunt, Sheikh Hasina, 77, was ousted as prime minister in August after weeks of violent protests.

During its first visit in October, the NCA had offered assistance to the interim government in its efforts to recover the stolen billions that were suspected of being siphoned off by Hasina's allies to countries like Britain, the report added.

However, the three-strong NCA delegation also asked specific questions about Tulip during the meeting.

Tulip resigned as UK minister last month, weeks after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that she was being investigated over the power plant deal.

Days later, it emerged that Tulip received a two-bedroom flat in London's King's Cross area as a gift from a British property developer linked to her aunt.

The Mail on Sunday then revealed how she had lied to this newspaper in 2022 when it asked her if the flat was a gift.

Tulip denied the claims, saying her parents bought the flat for her, and threatened to sue, the Daily Mail said.

The ACC is conducting at least two other criminal investigations against Tulip and her family. She denies the allegations against her, according to the report.

Labour said: “Absolutely no evidence has been presented for these allegations. Tulip Siddiq has not been contacted on these matters and totally refutes the claims.”

A Labour source said no one from the NCA or the Bangladeshi authorities has contacted her yet, the report added.​

 

[Saif]

UK's National Crime Agency assisting Bangladesh in Tulip Siddiq corruption probe

Some UK officers travelled to Dhaka to assist local authorities investigating claims that Tulip, a former Treasury official, benefitted from a disputed nuclear power plant deal. She is accused of using her aunt Sheikh Hasina's influence who was the then prime minister of Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

UK's National Crime Agency assisting Bangladesh in Tulip Siddiq corruption probe
Says The Telegraph

Photo: Facebook/Tulip Siddiq

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) is supporting investigators in Bangladesh as they probe corruption allegations against Tulip Siddiq, according to The Telegraph.

Some UK officers travelled to Dhaka to assist local authorities investigating claims that Tulip, a former Treasury official, benefitted from a disputed nuclear power plant deal. She is accused of using her aunt Sheikh Hasina's influence who was the then prime minister of Bangladesh.

Last month, Siddiq stepped down from her leadership role in the Labour Party after an ethics adviser found that she had accidentally provided false information about the scandal. Siddiq, whose role as Treasury minister included combatting corruption, had referred herself after questions arose regarding her use of properties in London linked to her aunt's political party.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating Siddiq, Hasina, and other family members for alleged embezzlement of £3.9 billion connected to a Russian-funded nuclear power plant.

British police involvement in the probe emerged after the NCA visited in October last year to help the Bangladeshi government recover billions allegedly siphoned off by Hasina and her allies.

Officers have reportedly offered to assist in hopes of "bringing about a prosecution" in Bangladesh.

Sources told The Mail on Sunday that the meeting raises the possibility of evidence being gathered against Siddiq for a potential criminal case in the UK. During meetings, the NCA team asked questions about Siddiq specifically. Siddiq denies any wrongdoing.

The NCA, responsible for investigating international bribery and corruption linked to the UK, can look into individuals suspected of money laundering in the UK from political corruption abroad and allegations of bribery and corruption against UK nationals.

Sheikh Hasina, 77, is now in India after being ousted last August following violent protests. During her tenure, opponents faced attacks, arrests, and extrajudicial killings. She and her allies are accused of looting billions from the country.

Since her fall, Bangladesh's anti-money laundering agency has requested information on Siddiq's accounts and transactions in the country from major banks. An official notice has also requested the financial records of Siddiq and six family members, including her mother, sister, and brother.

A spokesman for Siddiq said, "Absolutely no evidence has been presented for these allegations. Tulip Siddiq has not been contacted on these matters and totally refutes the claims."

An NCA spokesman stated, "We do not routinely comment on the nature of international assistance, nor confirm or deny if the agency has opened an investigation or is supporting a partner's investigation."

A senior anti-corruption commission official told The Telegraph, "The investigation into Tulip Siddiq is still at a preliminary stage, but we are actively examining multiple angles. Our focus is on uncovering any links between her and the acquisition of properties through illicit means in Bangladesh, her associations with corrupt businessmen, and potential connections to money laundered out of Bangladesh."

Ahsan Mansur, governor of the central bank of Bangladesh, said, "We greatly appreciate the support of the British Government and international investigative agencies in our efforts to trace the billions of dollars laundered from Bangladesh to the UK and beyond."

"Recovering these funds is a top priority for us, and we are counting on global cooperation to bring this money back where it belongs. We have already begun reaching out to various governments and global agencies to tackle this issue head-on."

"The UK has been cooperating with us in this effort, and our next step is to identify the properties and bank accounts where the laundered money has been stashed across different countries, including the United Kingdom. We are committed to taking decisive action to reclaim these funds and hold those responsible to account."​

 

[Saif]

Begum para: Yunus seeks Canada’s help to recover stolen money

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus yesterday requested Canada’s assistance in recovering funds that were smuggled out of Bangladesh and invested in the North American country, specifically in the upscale Bangladeshi neighbourhood “Begum Para” of Toronto.

www.thedailystar.net

Begum para: Yunus seeks Canada’s help to recover stolen money

Photo: UNB

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus yesterday requested Canada's assistance in recovering funds that were smuggled out of Bangladesh and invested in the North American country, specifically in the upscale Bangladeshi neighbourhood "Begum Para" of Toronto.

"They stole money from our people and bought assets in Begum Para. We need your help to recover the assets. It is the money of our people," Yunus told Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh during a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The chief adviser said hundreds of billions of dollars were stolen from Bangladesh by oligarchs, cronies, and politicians connected to Sheikh Hasina's dictatorship, and part of it was laundered to Canada, including in buying assets in Toronto's infamous "Begum Para" neighbourhood.

He sought help to identify, freeze and recover the assets during his meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner.

The Canadian High Commissioner appreciated the efforts of the Prof Yunus-led interim government to bring the stolen money back.

He assured Canada's support for the asset recovery efforts, noting that Canada has a "mechanism" to freeze siphoned-off money for recovery from persons identified by the interim government to the government of Canada.

The Canadian High Commissioner also offered the country's support to the interim government's reform initiatives in its transition to democracy. "We support the great thing you are doing. We appreciate the progress that has been made. We are keen to know what we can do," Ajit Singh said.

He said Canada was keen to expand trade with Bangladesh and invest more in the country. A Canadian minister would visit Bangladesh soon to discuss issues of mutual interest, he added.

In response, Prof Yunus said, "Bangladesh is ready for business. We want to expand trade with your country, and we want Canadian companies to relocate their factories to Bangladesh."

The chief adviser said many Bangladeshi people now live and study in Canada, and Ottawa should make a move to set up its visa office in Dhaka.​