The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom has launched an investigation into former city minister Tulip Siddiq, following claims of corruption tied to her involvement in a nuclear power project in Bangladesh. The investigation, revealed in a report by the British daily Daily Mail on Sunday, follows a secret meeting between British and Bangladeshi anti-corruption officials in Dhaka last month.
According to sources, Bangladeshi authorities presented new evidence that could implicate Siddiq, niece of ousted Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in a major embezzlement scheme related to the Rooppur nuclear power plant. This plant, constructed by Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, was funded largely by a loan from the Kremlin, and claims suggest that Siddiq and four of her family members – including her mother Sheikh Rehana Siddiq, misappropriated £3.9 billion from the project.
Reports indicate that the British authorities are exploring the possibility of probing Siddiq’s financial activities, including her bank accounts and email records, and may even seek her testimony in the investigation. The case centres on Siddiq’s connections with the power plant deal, which was formalized in 2013 when she was seen alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin during the signing ceremony.
A detailed investigation in Bangladesh claims that Siddiq, along with her family, is being scrutinized for allegedly diverting large sums of money from the plant’s funds.
This investigation has sparked concern within both Bangladeshi and British authorities, with the NCA expressing interest in assisting the Bangladeshi government in its efforts to prosecute Siddiq under international law.
Furthermore, the NCA is reportedly considering whether there is enough evidence to charge Siddiq in the UK under the Bribery Act of 2010, which could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years for any British citizen found guilty of accepting foreign bribes.
The investigation into Siddiq comes at a time of political upheaval in Bangladesh, where her aunt, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was ousted in August following widespread protests and accusations of corruption. It was revealed that during Hasina’s rule, nearly £13 billion was reportedly siphoned out of Bangladesh, allegedly by political allies.
In the aftermath of the revelations about the nuclear deal, Siddiq resigned from her position as treasury minister and has come under increasing scrutiny. One of the key revelations involved Siddiq receiving a two-bedroom flat in London’s King’s Cross area, allegedly from a property developer with ties to her aunt. Siddiq previously denied that the flat was a gift, saying that it had been purchased for her by her parents, although this was disputed by later reports.
Liberty News’ international correspondent reports that in response to the ongoing investigations, Labour Party representatives have denied all allegations, asserting that no evidence has been presented to support the claims. Siddiq herself has denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that she has not been contacted by either the NCA or Bangladeshi authorities.
The NCA and the British Home Office have so far declined to comment on the matter. As the investigation progresses, both Siddiq and her family continue to reject the accusations against them, despite mounting scrutiny from multiple fronts.
LND/Tariq
