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Sajeeb Wazed, the son of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has firmly denied the recent corruption allegations surrounding the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Wazed, who also serves as an adviser to his mother, described the accusations as “completely bogus” and part of a politically motivated “smear campaign.” The allegations, which have recently gained media attention, focus on a $12.65 billion nuclear power contract awarded in 2015 for the construction of two power plants in Bangladesh. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh launched an investigation into the project on Monday, citing concerns over possible financial irregularities involving offshore accounts and embezzlement.
Allegations of Corruption and Embezzlement
The ACC’s inquiry centers around claims of corruption, embezzlement, and money laundering, involving both Sheikh Hasina’s family and a series of financial irregularities linked to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The project, which is backed by Russia’s state-owned nuclear company Rosatom, aims to address Bangladesh’s energy supply challenges by constructing two nuclear power plants, each with a 1,200 megawatt capacity.
According to the ACC, there are suspicions that nearly $5 billion in financial irregularities were funneled through offshore accounts. These accounts allegedly involve key members of the Hasina family, including her son, Sajeeb Wazed, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, who is a British Treasury Minister. The investigation has raised significant questions about the financial transparency of one of Bangladesh’s most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent years.
Rosatom’s Refutation of Allegations
Rosatom, the Russian company that is the world’s largest supplier of enriched uranium and a key partner in the Rooppur project, has strongly refuted the allegations of corruption. In an emailed statement to Reuters, Rosatom emphasized that it operates a transparent procurement system and remains fully committed to combating corruption in all of its projects.
“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,” the statement read. Rosatom further stated that it is prepared to defend its reputation and interests in court, dismissing the claims as baseless and part of a larger effort to undermine the project’s success.
Wazed’s Response: “Smear Campaign” and Political Witch Hunt
Sajeeb Wazed, speaking from Washington, where he resides, rejected the corruption claims as part of a “political witch hunt” against his family. He was adamant that neither he nor his family members had ever been involved in any illicit financial activities related to the Rooppur project. Wazed also denied any involvement with offshore accounts, a central element of the allegations.
“These are completely bogus allegations and a smear campaign,” Wazed told Reuters. “My family nor I have ever been involved or taken any money from any government projects.” He also refuted the suggestion that billions of dollars could have been siphoned off from the $10 billion Rooppur project, emphasizing the scale and complexity of the undertaking, which he believes would make such actions impossible.
Wazed further clarified his family’s financial situation, stating, “We also don’t have any offshore accounts. I have been living in the US 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.”
Tulip Siddiq’s Denial and British Government’s Confidence
British Treasury Minister Tulip Siddiq, who is also linked to the allegations due to her familial connection to Sheikh Hasina, has denied any involvement in the claims. Siddiq, who represents the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency in the UK, did not respond to requests for comment but has consistently maintained her innocence. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Siddiq had denied the allegations and that the Prime Minister had full confidence in her.
The UK government has backed Siddiq, affirming that she will continue to serve in her role despite the ongoing investigation. This support is significant, given the high-profile nature of the claims and their potential impact on Siddiq’s political career.
Hasina’s Absence and Bangladesh’s Political Landscape
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has not been seen in public since fleeing to New Delhi in August, following a deadly uprising against her government in Bangladesh. The political climate in the country remains tense, with an interim government currently running the nation.
The Bangladesh government has formally requested India to send Hasina back to Bangladesh, a request that India has acknowledged but declined to comment on further. The situation surrounding Hasina’s return remains unclear, with Wazed noting that the family has not yet made a decision about her return. He also emphasized that New Delhi has not pressured Hasina to seek asylum in another country.
“We have not made a decision on her return to Bangladesh. New Delhi has not asked her to seek asylum elsewhere,” Wazed clarified.
The Bigger Picture: Political Fallout and Ongoing Investigation
The corruption investigation into the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has triggered a broader political fallout within Bangladesh, with many seeing the allegations as part of a political strategy to target the Hasina family. Given the long-standing political rivalries in the country, some analysts believe the charges are an attempt to discredit the former Prime Minister and her associates.
As the investigation continues, both domestic and international attention remains focused on the outcome. The involvement of Rosatom, a major state-owned Russian corporation, adds a layer of complexity to the case, as the project is critical to both Bangladesh’s energy future and Russia’s geopolitical interests in South Asia.
The final verdict of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s inquiry will likely have far-reaching consequences, not only for Sheikh Hasina’s family but also for Bangladesh’s political landscape and international relations. For now, all eyes are on the investigation as it unfolds, with key figures, including Sajeeb Wazed and Tulip Siddiq, maintaining their innocence and resisting what they consider an unjust political attack.
