Reuters – In a strong rebuttal to recent accusations, Sajeeb Wazed, the son and advisor of ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, labeled the allegations of corruption in the awarding of the $12.65 billion nuclear power contract as “completely bogus” and a strategic “smear campaign”. The controversy centers around the 2015 agreement for the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, a project backed by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom.
The Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced recently that it had initiated an investigation into claims of corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering connected with this significant nuclear initiative. Specifically, the commission pointed to financial irregularities amounting to approximately $5 billion, allegedly involving Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, who also serves as the British Treasury Minister. The accusations suggest these funds were channeled through offshore accounts.
In response, Rosatom, which holds the title of the world’s largest supplier of enriched uranium, categorically denied any involvement in corrupt practices. The corporation emphasized its commitment to fighting corruption across all projects and highlighted its transparent procurement practices. In a statement emailed to Reuters, Rosatom declared, “Rosatom State Corporation is ready to defend its interests and reputation in court,” dismissing the media reports as attempts to undermine the Rooppur NPP project. This project, they argued, is crucial for addressing Bangladesh’s energy needs and enhancing the welfare of its citizens.
Tulip Siddiq has remained silent on these allegations, not responding to requests for comment. However, a spokesperson for the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood by Siddiq, asserting her innocence and confidence in her continuation in her ministerial role.
Sajeeb Wazed, speaking from his residence in Washington, vehemently defended his family, describing the situation as a “political witch hunt”. He elaborated, “These are completely bogus allegations and a smear campaign. My family nor I have ever been involved or taken any money from any government projects.” He emphasized the logistical implausibility of the embezzlement claims, stating, “It is not possible to siphon off billions from a $10 billion project. We also don’t have any offshore accounts. I have been living in the U.S. for 30 years, my aunt and cousins in the UK for a similar amount of time. We obviously have accounts here, but none of us have ever seen that kind of money.”
The whereabouts of Sheikh Hasina have been unclear since she left Bangladesh for New Delhi in early August, following an uprising against her that resulted in numerous casualties. Since her departure, Bangladesh has been under the governance of an interim administration. The government in Dhaka has formally requested India to extradite Hasina back to Bangladesh, with New Delhi acknowledging the request but refraining from further commentary.
Sajeeb Wazed clarified that no decision has been made regarding Hasina’s return to Bangladesh, and there have been no suggestions from New Delhi for her to seek asylum elsewhere. This ongoing saga not only highlights the complex political dynamics in Bangladesh but also raises questions about international involvement and the integrity of large-scale infrastructure projects funded by foreign entities.