Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Bangladesh probes Sheikh Hasina, family over £3.97 bn graft allegations

Sheikh-Hasina-Getty

The probe targets Hasina, the ousted prime minister who fled to India in August, along with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and niece Tulip Siddiq. (Photo: Getty Images)

BANGLADESH has initiated a corruption investigation into allegations of a £3.97 billion embezzlement linked to the Russian-funded Rooppur nuclear power plant.

The probe targets Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister who fled to India in August, along with her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and niece Tulip Siddiq, a British MP and government minister, the country’s anti-corruption commission announced on Monday.


The investigation follows a writ filed in the high court by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the Nationalist Democratic Movement party, who called for an inquiry into the alleged misappropriation. Speaking to AFP, Hajjaj said, "We seek justice through our court."

The £10.04 bn Rooppur plant, Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility, is backed by Moscow through a 90 per cent loan. The anti-corruption commission stated on Monday that it is examining claims of £3.97 bn being embezzled by Hasina and her family through offshore accounts in Malaysia.

The inquiry will also investigate "questionable procurement practices" and allegations of kickbacks, mismanagement, and money laundering in the plant's construction.

"The claims of kickbacks, mismanagement, money laundering, and potential abuse of power raise significant concerns about the integrity of the project and the use of public funds," the commission said in its statement.

Further allegations involve theft from a government scheme aimed at building homes for the homeless.

Hasina, 77, fled Bangladesh on 5 August, reportedly escaping by helicopter to India, a move that sparked public outrage among Bangladeshis demanding her trial for alleged "mass murder."

Tulip Siddiq has denied any involvement in the allegations, according to a statement issued by the British prime minister's office.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy, reportedly based in the United States, was also unavailable for comment.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian drug dealer known as 'starkcake' jailed for 18 years

Heemal Vaid (Photo: NCA)

Asian drug dealer known as 'starkcake' jailed for 18 years

A 49-year-old Asian drug dealer who masterminded the import and sale of cocaine and heroin worth more than £4 million has been jailed for 18 years, after National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators identified him from secret phone messages.

British Indian Heemal Vaid, of Cheam, used EncroChat – an encrypted phone service for criminals – to broker deals, unaware that in 2020, an international law enforcement team would crack EncroChat’s encryption.

Keep ReadingShow less
Comment: How migration matters in Labour’s economic plans

The Starmer administration is using increasingly hawkish language on immigration

Comment: How migration matters in Labour’s economic plans

GOING for growth is a core mission for prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government.

So cutting the growth forecast for this year in half to one per cent was an inauspicious start to chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement. The projection remains below two per cent through the parliament.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Getty Images

Trump’s tariffs hit global markets, Starmer warns of 'economic impact'

The UK and other global economies reacted on Thursday to US president Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs, with prime minister Keir Starmer warning of an “economic impact” from the 10 per cent levy on British exports.

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less