Summary:
- Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating allegations of $5 billion embezzlement in the $12.65 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project involving Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Tulip Siddiq.
- Sajeeb Wazed Joy has denied the allegations, calling them a “smear campaign,” and claimed his family has no offshore accounts or access to such funds.
- Rosatom, the Russian state-owned company behind the project, has rejected corruption claims, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and anti-corruption policies.
- Sheikh Hasina, currently in India after fleeing Bangladesh amid political turmoil, faces extradition requests from Dhaka as investigations continue.
Bangladesh is currently embroiled in a high-profile corruption investigation involving ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family, centering on allegations of embezzlement tied to the $12.65 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has launched a probe into claims that Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece, British Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq, misappropriated $5 billion from the Russian-backed project through offshore accounts.
The nuclear power plant, Bangladesh’s first, was initiated in 2015 under a deal with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom. The project, designed to address the country’s growing energy needs, involves constructing two reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts. However, allegations have surfaced that the project was overpriced and marred by financial irregularities. Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement and a political opponent of Hasina, brought these accusations to light, prompting judicial scrutiny and public outcry.
Rosatom has strongly denied the allegations, stating it adheres to strict anti-corruption policies and transparent procurement processes. In a statement, the company described the accusations as baseless attempts to discredit its work in Bangladesh.
Sajeeb Wazed Joy has also dismissed the claims as politically motivated. Speaking from Washington, where he resides, Wazed called the allegations “completely bogus” and part of a “smear campaign.” He asserted that neither he nor his family had access to offshore accounts or illicit funds. “It is not possible to siphon off billions from a $10 billion project,” he said, adding that his family’s financial dealings are confined to their respective countries of residence—the United States and the United Kingdom.
Tulip Siddiq has similarly denied any involvement in wrongdoing. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed confidence in Siddiq’s role as Treasury Minister despite ongoing investigations. Siddiq was recently questioned by the UK Cabinet Office’s Propriety and Ethics Team regarding her alleged role in facilitating financial misappropriation during the nuclear deal.
Sheikh Hasina herself has not been publicly available for comment since fleeing Bangladesh in early August following a deadly uprising that led to her government’s ouster. She is currently believed to be in India, where Dhaka has formally requested her extradition. New Delhi has confirmed receiving the request but declined further comment.
The ACC investigation extends beyond the nuclear project. It includes allegations of $300 million laundered by Hasina and Wazed through offshore accounts in Hong Kong and the Cayman Islands. U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly uncovered evidence linking Wazed to financial misconduct involving funds transferred to bank accounts in Washington and London.
The controversy has sparked significant political and public discourse in Bangladesh. Critics argue that such large-scale corruption undermines public trust and jeopardizes critical infrastructure projects aimed at national development. Meanwhile, supporters of Hasina claim the accusations are part of a broader political witch hunt designed to tarnish her legacy as one of Bangladesh’s longest-serving leaders.
As investigations continue, questions remain about accountability and transparency in managing large-scale national projects. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for governance and anti-corruption efforts in Bangladesh.
Source: TBS News
