Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family over allegations of embezzling $5 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, the country's first nuclear facility.
The probe extends to Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and her niece Tulip Siddiq, who is a Treasury Minister in the UK, according to reports from BDNews.
The ACC began its inquiry following allegations made by Bobby Hajjaj, chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), claiming funds were siphoned to a Malaysian bank.
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is being constructed 160 kilometers west of Dhaka with Russian state-owned corporation Rosatom leading the project. Indian companies are also contributing to the development of this key infrastructure.
The High Court recently questioned the ACC’s inaction, asking why no steps had been taken regarding the alleged misappropriation. This prompted the commission to investigate further.
Hasina, who fled Bangladesh on August 5 amid widespread student-led protests that toppled her 16-year rule, has been residing in India. Her sister, Rehana, is also in India, while Joy resides in the US, and Siddiq serves as a British Member of Parliament.
The Bangladesh-based International Crimes Tribunal has issued arrest warrants against Hasina and several of her former aides, accusing them of crimes against humanity and involvement in genocide. Additionally, they face murder charges linked to the recent political unrest.