The ongoing uproar in the United Kingdom over corruption allegations involving city minister Tulip Siddiq, niece of the ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has turned attention to Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman.
Shayan, son of the former prime minister’s adviser and business magnate Salman F Rahman, leads a UK-based charity under the patronage of King Charles III.
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently investigating allegations against Salman Rahman and his family.
In August 2024, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the bank accounts of Salman, his son Shayan, and daughter-in-law Shahzreh Rahman.
The Mail on Sunday (12 January) reported that a family friend of Tulip Siddiq, serving as chairman of a charity founded by the King, has had his bank accounts frozen in Bangladesh.
The report highlights Shayan’s longstanding ties with the Siddiq family, noting Tulip’s aunt, Awami League chief Hasina, whenever visiting London, stays at Shayan’s £13 million house without paying rent.
The property, where Sheikh Rehana also resides rent-free, is owned by an offshore entity controlled by Shayan.
Shayan Rahman holds a prominent position as chairman of the advisory council for the British Asian Trust, founded by King Charles in 2007 to combat poverty.
Formerly CEO of Beximco Group, Shayan’s leadership role at the charity remains intact despite the corruption allegations.
King Charles III previously praised his contributions at a Buckingham Palace event, emphasising Shayan's role in the trust’s initiatives in Bangladesh.
The British Asian Trust acknowledged the ongoing investigations and stated, “We are aware of the allegations against Shayan F Rahman and continue to monitor developments in Bangladesh.”
A spokesperson for Shayan Rahman described the actions against him as politically motivated, emphasising that neither he nor his wife has been charged with any crime, despite the freezing of their Bangladeshi accounts alongside over 300 others linked to the former prime minister.
Shayan has notably donated £250,000 to the British Asian Trust. In a separate interview, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus sarcastically referenced Shayan’s “generosity” while discussing money laundering issues in Bangladesh.
Previously a vice-chairman at International Finance Investment and Commerce Bank (IFIC), Shayan Rahman lost his directorship following a board restructuring after a shift in power.
The investigation continues, with both UK and Bangladeshi authorities closely observing the developments.
