[🇧🇩] 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]

Yunus for probing UK properties linked to Tulip

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into Tulip Siddiq and her family’s properties in the United Kingdom, suggesting that those might have been purchased through illicit wealth linked to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, according to The Times.

www.thedailystar.net

Yunus for probing UK properties linked to Tulip
Salman F Rahman’s son, Shayan, linked to £1.2 million property bought by Tulip’s family

Photo: Collected

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into Tulip Siddiq and her family's properties in the United Kingdom, suggesting that those might have been purchased through illicit wealth linked to her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, according to The Times.

The report claims that several London properties were linked to offshore companies and businessmen named in the Panama Papers.

In a recent interview, the chief adviser emphasised that the properties connected to Tulip should be thoroughly examined. He said that if it is found that these assets were acquired through unlawful means, they should be returned to the people of Bangladesh.

"It's about plain robbery," he said, accusing the former regime, which was toppled in a mass uprising on August 5 last year, of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices.

According to reports published in UK media, the properties in question were bought by associates of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Times report links the family of Tulip, a British MP for Hampstead and Highgate and the UK's anti-corruption minister, to five London properties bought with the help of offshore companies.

These properties are not currently under formal investigation, but Yunus urged the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission to look into them as part of its ongoing inquiries into corruption and embezzlement under Hasina's regime.

According to The Times report, one of these properties was a Hampstead home bought by an offshore company named in the Panama Papers. This particular company was connected to two Bangladeshi businessmen with ties to the Awami League. Tulip, who has previously spoken out against the use of offshore trusts to evade financial transparency, now faces intense scrutiny over her family's dealings.

Tulip has denied any wrongdoing and described allegations against her as politically motivated.

The reports have triggered a storm in the UK, with opposition Conservative MPs calling for Tulip to resign. However, UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer has said he has full confidence in Tulip.

Tulip has referred herself to the UK prime minister's ethics watchdog. A Downing Street spokesman said it was "completely untrue" to suggest the party had drawn up a shortlist as reported by some media.

In his remarks, Yunus expressed disbelief at the situation, noting that it was an "irony" that Tulip Siddiq, an anti-corruption minister in the UK, had been linked to these controversial properties.

While Yunus did not call for Tulip's resignation, he emphasised that her defence of the properties raised serious ethical questions.

"Maybe you [Tulip] didn't realise it, but now you do. You should say: 'Sorry, I didn't know it [at] that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign.' But she is not saying that. She's defending herself."

The scandal comes amid wider allegations of corruption surrounding Hasina's government.

Asked whether Tulip's properties should be investigated by the ACC, Yunus said, "Absolutely".

He added that the commission should look at the "whole thing".

He also said that, if feasible, the properties bought by AL allies outside the country using illegal wealth should be returned.

"That's the intention of the interim government. How to bring them back," he said.

One of the key figures involved in the property purchases related to Tulip is Shayan Rahman, the son of Salman F Rahman, a billionaire and former adviser to Hasina. Shayan Rahman used an offshore trust to buy a £1.2 million property in Golders Green, London, which was used by Sheikh Rehana, Tulip's mother.

Shayan is currently under investigation by the Bangladesh Criminal Investigation Department for laundering more than $80 million out of Bangladesh, with funds allegedly funnelled through Dubai.

Salman F Rahman was arrested after attempting to flee the country, and his son's whereabouts remain unknown.

Shayan Rahman is also known for his ties to the British Asian Trust, an anti-poverty charity founded by King Charles. He reportedly donated over £250,000 to the charity, and Charles publicly praised him for his support during a gala dinner at Buckingham Palace.

The National Crime Agency, the UK's equivalent of the FBI, has shown willingness to assist Bangladesh in recovering assets linked to illicit financial activities. In October 2024, NCA officers visited Dhaka to meet with local law enforcement, and they indicated that they could help freeze UK-based assets if requested.

Yunus expressed hope that the NCA, as well as other international law enforcement agencies, would continue to cooperate in tracking down and recovering stolen assets.

He stressed that the ongoing investigations must ensure that those responsible for embezzling Bangladesh's wealth are held accountable.

"We need to bring them to justice," Yunus declared.​

 

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FBI finds Sajeeb’s link with 5 cos, 8 luxury cars

A Federal Bureau of Investigation probe has found that deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed owns eight luxurious cars and he has involvement in five companies.

www.newagebd.net

FBI finds Sajeeb’s link with 5 cos, 8 luxury cars
Solamain Salman 13 January, 2025, 00:25

Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

A Federal Bureau of Investigation probe has found that deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed owns eight luxurious cars and he has involvement in five companies.

The FBI probe has also found that Hasina and Sajeeb laundered $300 million (about Tk 3,600 crore) to the United States and the United Kingdom.

The US intelligence agency also claimed that they uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of Sajeeb.

Based on the FBI findings, the Anti-Corruption Commission in Bangladesh on December 22, 2024 initiated an inquiry into the allegation against Hasina and Sajeeb of laundering $300 million to the United States and the United Kingdom.

The FBI report was submitted to an assistant attorney general for the criminal division of the US Department of Justice on April 23, 2023. The commission also obtained a copy of the FBI report, said ACC officials concerned.

The FBI found eight luxurious vehicles owned by Sajeeb –– 2018 Mclaren 720S worth $2,50,578, 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT worth $1,09,806, 2015 Mercedes-benz S-class worth $51,008, 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sl-class worth $73,570, 2015 Lexus GX 460 worth $30,182, 2016 Land Rover Range Rover worth $37,586, 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee worth $ 7,491 and 2001 Grand Cherokee worth $ 4,477.

According to the FBI report, the US intelligence agency discovered bank accounts of Sajeeb in Hong Kong and Cayman Island and found suspicious money transfers to Washington DC, New York and London through a local money exchange company.

The FBI has contacted its counterpart in the United Kingdom to look into Sajeeb’s suspicious activates, said the report saying that these findings raised serious concerns about potential illicit activities and necessitated further examination.

The FBI report said that special agent La Prevotte was contacted by US Department of Justice senior trial attorney Linda Samuels who requested the assistance of Washington Field with a case involving $300 millions stolen from Bangladesh and laundered through and into bank accounts in the United States.

Noting that Hasina and Sajeeb laundered money to the United States and Cayman Island, the report stated that Department of Justice asset forfeiture or money laundering section requested the assistance of Washington Field to trace, restrain, seize and forfeit these funds.

‘Our investigation also revealed suspicious activity under the name Wazed Consulting Inc. Mr Wazed has acquired properties worth millions of dollars with cash. Wazed Consultant engaged in numerous business dealing with Bangladesh government and taking consulting for Bangbandhu-1 satellite project.’ it said.

These financial transactions warrant careful scrutiny and investigation to determine their legality and ensure accountability, said the report.

The FBI also said that they contacted the ACC to cooperate in verifying bank account information and swift code validation, and to address any potential illegal activities.

It also said that the probe found Sajeeb’s wife Kristine O Wazed with suspicious bank activities that took place in Massachusetts and Virginia.

The FBI also said that its confidential informant gave two names of Sajeeb associates –– US unit Awami League president Siddiqur Rahman and its senior joint secretary Nizam Chowdhury.

The FBI also found Sajeeb’s involvement in five companies, including Wazed Consulting Inc, Ecom Systems Inc, Mvion Inc, and Intelligent Trade Systems Ltd.

After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5 amid a student-led mass uprising, the ACC started probes into allegations of corruption against Hasina, her son Sajeeb and other family members.

An inquiry team of the commission led by its deputy director Md Salauddin started the inquiry and already sent letters to different government agencies seeking necessary information.

A member of the team told New Age on Monday that they sent letters to different offices, including the secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, passport office and the Election Commission, seeking information.

Noting that they have already got information from different sources at home and abroad over the money laundering, he also said that the passport office and the Election Commission gave them some information, but the rest of the offices werre yet to respond to the letter.

Sajeeb, however, on his verified Facebook page, claimed that the corruption allegations made against him and his family members were completely bogus.

‘We have never been involved in or made money from any government projects,’ he said.

‘Obviously we have bank accounts in these two countries. We have no offshore accounts. None of us has ever seen the amounts of money that are being claimed,’ he added.

Earlier, the commission on December 17 started another inquiry into Tk 80,000 crore corruption allegations against Hasina, Sajeeb, Hasina’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana’s daughter and British minister Tulip Siddiq.

The alleged corruption involving Tk 80,000 crore occurred in nine projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and the Special Ashrayan Project, during the Awami League government between 2009 and 2023, according to the allegations.​

 

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UK Prime minister asked to sack Tulip for corruption allegation

The United Kingdom’s leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch has called upon prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss treasury minister Tulip Siddiq amid corruption allegations and...

www.newagebd.net

UK Prime minister asked to sack Tulip for corruption allegation
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 12 January, 2025, 18:35

Tulip Siddiq | BSS photo

The United Kingdom’s leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch has called upon prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss treasury minister Tulip Siddiq amid corruption allegations and concerns as Bangladesh chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus has called for an investigation into properties used by Tulip Siddiq in London.

‘It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq. Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina,’ Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch posted on her X account.

The statement followed remarks by professor Yunus in an interview with The Sunday Times, where the Nobel Laureate urged an investigation into London properties used by Siddiq.

He suggested these properties be returned to Bangladesh if found to have been acquired through ‘plain robbery’.

In her X post, Badenoch accused the UK PM of appointing his ‘personal friend Tulip’ as anti-corruption minister despite allegations of corruption against her.

In the interview, professor Yunus called for an investigation into properties used by Tulip Siddiq and her family, stating, ‘She [Tulip] becomes the minister for anti-corruption and defends herself. Maybe you didn’t realise it, but now you realise it. You say, ‘Sorry, I didn’t know it at that time, I seek forgiveness from the people that I did this and I resign.’ She’s not saying that. She’s defending herself.’

Siddiq, a member of the UK’s Labour Cabinet, serves as the economic secretary to the treasury and city minister, responsible for policies addressing corruption in financial markets.

Amid reports linking her to properties owned by allies of her aunt, ousted former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Siddiq referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus.

In her letter requesting an investigation, Siddiq maintained her innocence. ‘I am clear that I have done nothing wrong,’ she wrote.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer defended Siddiq at a press conference, stating she had ‘acted entirely properly’ in referring herself for investigation and expressing his ‘confidence in her’.

Siddiq has since withdrawn from accompanying the chancellor on a trip to China this weekend to assist with the investigation. Since then, several international media outlets have reported allegations against Tulip Siddiq, claiming she received free flats in London from allies of the ousted Awami League government in Bangladesh.

Additionally, several MPs from the ruling party have spoken against Tulip for allegedly receiving free flats.

The Sunday Times reported that she had used a flat in Hampstead, north London, which had been given to her teenage sister by lawyer Moin Ghani, who had represented the Hasina administration.

The Financial Times revealed that she had also used an apartment in King’s Cross given to her by Abdul Motalif, another associate of members of the Awami League party in Bangladesh.

Additionally, Siddiq is alleged to have facilitated discussions with Russia regarding Bangladesh’s Rooppur Power Plant in 2013, despite not holding an official position in the UK government at the time.

Allegations of embezzling approximately $4 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have also implicated Sheikh Hasina and her family, including Siddiq.

Reports claim Siddiq has been interrogated by the UK cabinet office’s justice and ethics team as part of the investigation into these allegations.

Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following the mass uprising, faces multiple allegations, including crimes against humanity, raised by the new Bangladeshi government.​

 

[Saif]

‘Getting overwhelming support’: Shafiqul Alam on stolen money

Reiterating interim government’s priority to bring back stolen money from abroad, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday that they are getting overwhelming responses from all those countries where the government suspects that stolen money might go. “We won’

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

‘Getting overwhelming support’: Shafiqul Alam on stolen money
UNB
Published :
Jan 12, 2025 22:02
Updated :
Jan 12, 2025 22:02

Reiterating interim government’s priority to bring back stolen money from abroad, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Sunday that they are getting overwhelming responses from all those countries where the government suspects that stolen money might go.

“We won’t talk about any specific country but we are contacting with all….we would say we are getting overwhelming support and cooperation,” he said while responding to a question during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

Alam said they are working on these issues and a taskforce is working under the leadership of the Bangladesh Bank Governor.

“We are first looking at how to bring the money back. This is our top priority,” he said, adding that it was unlimited when they talked about stolen money.

The Press Secretary said they need to detect and trace first where the stolen money was kept.

He said they are looking into how the money was siphoned off and in which account. “We are doing whatever needs to be done for that. We have reconstituted the Anti-Corruption Commission. We have strengthened the Central Bank. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit has been strengthened,” he said.

Alam said they are contacting the countries where the stolen money might go and the government is informing those countries that they should cooperate with the interim government. “We are getting that support from everyone. We are communicating with everyone,” he said.

CA’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina, Rehana named in case filed by ACC for unlawfully acquiring plots in Purbachal project

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 16 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and several RAJUK officials, accusing them of illegally acquiring government plots in the Purbachal New Town project. ACC Director General (P

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina, Rehana named in case filed by ACC for unlawfully acquiring plots in Purbachal project
FE Online Report
Published :
Jan 12, 2025 17:57
Updated :
Jan 12, 2025 18:06

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 16 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and several RAJUK officials, accusing them of illegally acquiring government plots in the Purbachal New Town project.

ACC Director General (Prevention) Md Akhter Hossain confirmed the filing of the case on Sunday.

The allegations, as reported in newspaper clippings, appear specific, evidence-based, and fall under the schedule of offenses for the ACC. As such, it was deemed appropriate to investigate the matter through its special inquiry branch, he said.

On December 26, the ACC initiated an inquiry into the matter.

On that day, ACC Director General Hossain stated that Hasina, leveraging her political position and powers under Article 13/A of the Constitution, misused her authority and engaged in irregularities and corruption.

With the assistance of senior RAJUK officials, he alleged, she facilitated the allocation of six plots, each measuring 10 katha (a total of 60 katha), in the diplomatic zone of Sector 27 in the Purbachal New Town Project.

These plots were registered in her name, as well as in the names of her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed (Putul), younger sister Sheikh Rehana, and Rehana's children, Rezwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby and Azmina Siddiq, Mr Hossain added.​