Bangladesh’s Yunus Urges UK to Investigate Corruption Scandal Involving Sheikh Hasina’s Niece

In an interview with the Times newspaper, Yunus criticized the use of properties gifted to Siddiq and her family by "allies of her aunt's deposed regime". He demanded the return of the assets to Bangladesh if she is found to have benefitted from "plain robbery".

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has demanded an investigation into the properties of British minister Tulip Siddiq and her family, which may have been acquired through unlawful means during her aunt Sheikh Hasina's tenure as Bangladesh premier, reports said on Sunday.

In an interview with the Times newspaper, Yunus criticized the use of properties gifted to Siddiq and her family by "allies of her aunt's deposed regime". He demanded the return of the assets to Bangladesh if she is found to have benefitted from "plain robbery".

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"It's about plain robbery," Yunus said, accusing the previous government of embezzling funds through fraudulent practices that have had long-lasting effects on the country.

Siddiq, a member of Britain's Labour Cabinet, serves as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, responsible for addressing corruption within the UK's financial markets.

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A day after publishing Yunus's interview, the British newspaper on Sunday carried another report titled "(UK) PM urged to sack Tulip Siddiq after Bangladesh leader's rebuke".

It said the "anti-corruption minister is facing calls to resign after the leader of Bangladesh condemned the use of properties gifted to her and her family by its former regime".

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According to the Sunday Times, comments from Yunus on the scandal engulfing 42-year-old Siddiq are likely to further pile pressure on her to quit, although suggestions are that Downing Street is already looking for a replacement.

Yunus's intervention came just as a Sunday Times investigation had found Siddiq spent years living in a Hampstead property bought by an offshore company named in the Panama Papers and connected to two Bangladeshi businessmen.

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In his interview with the Times, Yunus said it was an "irony" that Siddiq had been accused of corruption.
Yunus referred to a recent official report that found the people connected with the Awami League regime had taken billions of dollars a year out of Bangladesh, with some funds used to buy assets, including properties abroad.

"They pointed out how money is stolen, but it's not stealing – when you steal, you hide it. It's a robbery," he said.

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Asked if it could apply to properties used by members of Hasina's family in London, Chief Adviser Yunus said, "Absolutely, it's about plain robbery. Nothing else."

"If it's a member of the parliament in the UK, then that is a serious issue. We got accustomed to the previous regime taking everything from us, so we feel relief that you're bringing this to the attention of the world," he said.

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Yunus also said if possible, properties purchased by allies of the Awami League must be returned to Bangladesh.

He said his officials intended to recover cash and assets abroad, but they originate from Bangladesh.
The Sunday Times quoted the National Crime Agency of Britain as having agreed to cooperate with Bangladesh over the recovery of some assets.

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