The son of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that allegations against his family of corruption in the awarding of a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract in 2015 are “completely false“ and constitute a “smear campaign“, "Reuters" reported, quoted by News.bg.
Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption, embezzlement and money laundering in connection with the “Rooppur“ nuclear power plant project. The project is being implemented with the support of Russian state company “Rosatom“, which signed in 2015. contract to build two 1,200-megawatt power plants.
According to the Commission, financial irregularities worth about $5 billion have been found. The charges include Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajib Wazed and her niece Tulip Siddique, who is the economic secretary at the British Treasury. The charges point to the use of offshore accounts to embezzle funds.
Rosatom's position
„Rosatom“ denied the charges, saying it was committed to transparency and the fight against corruption in all its projects. The company stressed that it was „ready to defend its interests and reputation in court“.
„Rosatom“ described the media allegations as an attempt to discredit the project, which aims to solve Bangladesh's energy supply problems and improve the welfare of the people.
Reactions from Siddique and the British government
Tulip Siddique did not comment, but a spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that she denied involvement in the allegations and that the government has her full confidence. Siddique will continue to perform her duties, the spokesman stressed.
Sajib Wazed's family position
Sajib Wazed, who lives in Washington, D.C., categorically stated that his family is the subject of a political witch hunt.
„These are completely false accusations and a smear campaign. "My family has never participated in or received money from any government projects," he told "Reuters".
He added that it was impossible for his family to siphon billions from a $10 billion project and that they had no offshore accounts.
Sheikh Hasina and the family's future
„Reuters“ reported that Sheikh Hasina had not appeared in public since she fled to New Delhi in early August following mass protests in Bangladesh that killed about 15,000 people.
The government in Dhaka has asked India to return Hasina. New Delhi confirmed it had received the request but declined further comment.
Sajib Wazed said the family had not yet decided whether Hasina should return to Bangladesh. He added that India had not asked her to seek asylum elsewhere.