Sajeeb Wazed, the son and adviser of ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, dismissed allegations of corruption tied to the $12.65 billion Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project as a “smear campaign” on Tuesday. The accusations involve claims of embezzlement, money laundering, and financial irregularities amounting to $5 billion, implicating Hasina, Wazed, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, a British treasury minister.
Anti-Corruption Probe into Nuclear Deal
Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2015 agreement with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom for constructing two nuclear reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. The ACC claims the funds were siphoned off through offshore accounts linked to Hasina’s family.
Rosatom Denies Allegations
Rosatom, the global leader in enriched uranium supply and the project’s primary backer, denied the accusations. In a statement, Rosatom emphasized its transparent procurement practices and commitment to combating corruption, labeling the allegations as an effort to undermine the project’s credibility. The corporation expressed readiness to defend its reputation in court.
Political Witch Hunt, Says Wazed
Wazed described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking from Washington, he asserted that neither he nor his family had ever taken money from government projects. He added that none of them possessed offshore accounts and dismissed the idea of embezzling billions from the project as unrealistic.
Hasina’s Status Remains Uncertain
Since fleeing to New Delhi in August following a deadly uprising, Sheikh Hasina has remained out of the public eye. While Bangladesh’s interim government has requested her return, Wazed stated no decision had been made. India, meanwhile, confirmed the request but declined further comment.
