The son of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina rejects corruption in the $12.65 billion nuclear agreement

Rejected The son and advisor of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called accusations of wrongdoing against the family in the 2015 awarding of a $12.65 billion nuclear power deal “smear campaign” and “completely bogus” on Tuesday.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, which is supported by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, has been accused of corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering. On Monday, the Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh said that it has opened an investigation into these claims.

In 2015, an agreement was reached for two 1,200 megawatt power plants apiece.

Through offshore accounts, the panel has claimed that Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed, and her niece and British Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq engaged in financial violations totaling around $5 billion.

In response to the accusations, Rosatom, the biggest supplier of enriched uranium in the world, stated that it is dedicated to fighting corruption in all of its programs and that it has an open procurement process.

“Rosatom State Corporation is prepared to protect its interests and reputation in court,” the company told Reuters via email.

“We consider false statements in the media as an attempt to discredit the Rooppur NPP project, which is being implemented to solve the country’s energy supply problems and is aimed at improving the well-being of the people of Bangladesh.”

When asked for comment, Siddiq did not reply.

A representative for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he had faith in her and that Siddiq has rejected any role in the allegations. In addition, the spokeswoman stated that Siddiq will remain in her position.

According to Wazed, who spoke for the family, they were the focus of a political witch hunt in Bangladesh.

“These are smear campaigns and wholly false accusations. He told Reuters from Washington, where he resides, “Neither my family nor I have ever been involved in or received any money from any government projects.”

“Billions cannot be embezzled from a project worth $10 billion. Additionally, we have no offshore accounts. My aunt and cousins have been in the UK for about the same length of time as me, who has been in the United States for thirty years. Although it is evident that we have accounts here, none of us have ever seen that amount of money.

Since escaping to New Delhi in early August after a violent rebellion against her in Bangladesh, Hasina has not been sighted in public. Reuters was unable to get in touch with her. Since then, the nation has been governed by an interim administration.

Dhaka’s administration said Monday that it has requested that India return Hasina. Although it declined to speak more, New Delhi acknowledged the request.

Wazeb stated that Hasina’s family had not decided whether to send her back to Bangladesh and that New Delhi had not requested that she apply for refuge abroad.