Interim govt pledges justice, recovery of stolen funds
The interim government has reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and justice, vowing to recover billions of dollars in public funds allegedly embezzled under the previous regime.
In a statement issued Tuesday night by the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the government highlighted the severe financial impact of the theft, which has left Bangladesh with a significant deficit. “The funds stolen from Bangladesh belong to its people,” the statement said, emphasizing ongoing efforts with international partners to ensure justice is served.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed the sentiments of the Bangladeshi people, stressing the need for thorough investigations into assets tied to stolen funds. “If proven to have benefited from embezzlement, we expect those assets to be returned to Bangladesh, where they rightfully belong,” Yunus said.
Addressing reports about UK-based properties linked to individuals with connections to the previous regime, Yunus said, “Tulip Siddiq may not have fully understood the source of the money and property she enjoyed in London. However, she now has a moral obligation to seek forgiveness from the people of Bangladesh.”
The interim government is actively collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to investigate and recover stolen funds. The administration emphasised the importance of global partnerships in dismantling transnational financial crime networks.
“We expect all friendly governments, including the UK, to support the people of Bangladesh in seeking justice for these crimes,” the statement read. The government added that corruption disproportionately harms the public while benefiting only the perpetrators and their close associates.
The ongoing probe into the alleged $5 billion misappropriation linked to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project illustrates the extent of corruption under the previous administration, the government said.
“The misuse of public resources in this and other projects has not only robbed the people of Bangladesh but also disrupted the nation’s path toward economic stability,” the statement added.
The interim government iterated its pledge to hold those responsible for corruption accountable while recovering stolen assets to aid the country’s recovery. “We will not rest until justice is done, and Bangladesh can begin to heal from the damages inflicted by years of misgovernance.”