According to the New York Times, the new governor of Bangladesh’s central bank claimed that “about $17 billion was misappropriated from the country’s financial system” during the 15 years that Sheikh Hasina’s government ruled the country.
But this estimate may be conservative, as other economists have estimated “the true value of looting during Ms Hasina’s rule before she fled the country.” [in August]possibly more than $30 billion,” Report Published on December 4th.
The accusation was made by Ahsan Mansur, a former long-time official at the International Monetary Fund who was appointed central bank governor by the interim government. Muhammad YunusNobel laureate in economics, won praise for providing microcredit programs to many of the country’s poor citizens.
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Mansoor claimed that during Hasina’s rule – from 2009 to August this year – the country’s political leaders gained control of the central bank and a group of private banks by appointing directors on the board.
“Banks then issued billions of dollars in loans to companies, some of which were fictitious and were never repaid. Most of the funds were then illegally transferred out of the country, reports say.
Interim government says it will seek extradition of Ms. Hasina fled to India in August after a protest movement turned into mob violence.
“Thousands of people were forced to disappear”
No financial charges have been filed. But there could be a more serious investigation into the large number of people said to have “disappeared” and possibly been killed during Hasina’s rule.
Yunus said in mid-November that about 1,500 people were killed in the protests that led to the former prime minister’s ouster in August, and that as many as 3,500 people may have been forcibly abducted during her 15-year rule.
He reportedly said that as of October, a committee investigating the violence that preceded Hasina’s escape had uncovered information on 1,600 cases of enforced disappearance. Reuters.
Human Rights Watch 2021 report stated According to Bangladeshi human rights organizations, nearly 600 people have been forcibly “disappeared” by security forces since 2009.
It verified 86 cases of enforced disappearance, the fate of the victims still unknown. Others were released, arrested or found dead, the report said.
Not surprisingly, these claims have stoked a hornet’s nest.
Hasina hit back this week, claiming Muhammad Yunus was behind an “orchestrated conspiracy” behind the student protests that led to her ouster.
According to Indian media reports, Hasina said on Monday that she had been replaced by a “fascist government” and that “the entire Bangladesh is burning… and is being destroyed”. business standards.
Readers will have to make up their own minds about the accusations, but analysts say they are at odds with public sentiment in Dhaka.
Dhaka tells India, Hasina should be extradited
Meanwhile, senior officials from India and Bangladesh hold talks on Monday The move is an attempt to de-escalate months of tensions, protests and confrontations that followed Hasina’s ouster.
Reuters said that Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri traveled to Dhaka, the highest-level visit between neighboring countries and trading partners since August.
After Hasina’s ouster, India complained of attacks on minority Hindus in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. But Yunus, who met with Misri on Monday, said the reports were exaggerated.
“India is asked to help clear the ‘clouds’ that have recently cast a shadow over relations between the two neighboring countries,” a statement from Yunus’ office said.
“India hopes to have a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs quoted Misri as saying in a note released after the meeting.
Misri said he discussed “some regrettable attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties”, adding that India hoped Bangladesh would take a constructive approach on these issues.
He also met his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jasim Uddin.
Bangladesh has denied reports of the attack and has asked India to stop sheltering Hasina and demand her extradition.
Note: Photo of Muhammad Yunus was added to this report on December 10, 2024.
See also:
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Dhaka rejoices after Sheikh Hasina resigns and flees Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s main bank freezes Myanmar regime’s accounts
Bangladesh reaches $4.5 billion bailout deal with IMF
Fuel prices rise 52%, protests erupt in Bangladesh
IMF accepts Bangladesh’s $4.5 billion loan request
Clever handling of giant neighbor could boost Bangladesh, South Asia’s rising star
