Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed the interim government's dedication to holding those responsible for embezzling public funds accountable and ensuring the return of these assets to the people of Bangladesh.
Professor Yunus, reflecting the sentiment of the majority of Bangladeshis, has stated that properties and assets acquired through stolen funds, particularly those connected to the previous regime, will undergo thorough investigation, said a statement from the CA's Press Wing following UK city minister and ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's niece, Tulip Siddiq's resignation for alleged ties to her family's corruption on Tuesday (14 January).
Should any individuals be found to have profited from embezzlement, their assets will be reclaimed for Bangladesh, it added.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Yunus addressed Tulip Siddiq’s situation, suggesting she might not have been fully aware of the illicit origins of the wealth she enjoyed in London.
He called on her to seek forgiveness from the Bangladeshi populace.
"The interim government is collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to trace and recover funds misappropriated from the state," the CA said.
This global cooperation is deemed essential in dismantling the transnational financial crime networks.
Bangladesh anticipates support from all friendly nations, including the United Kingdom, in its quest for justice.
Corruption, Yunus emphasised, benefits only the perpetrators and their close associates, while harming the broader society.
Highlighting the ongoing investigation into the $5 billion misappropriation linked to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the government underscored the magnitude of corruption under the previous administration.
This mismanagement of public resources has not only deprived the citizens of Bangladesh but has also impeded the nation's progress towards economic stability.
Yunus further said the interim government is resolute in its efforts to collaborate with international partners to ensure that the stolen funds, which rightfully belong to the people of Bangladesh, are recovered and justice is served.
