Sheikh Hasina embezzled $5 billion from Rooppur power plant

The largest and most expensive project in the country is the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. It is expected to meet 20 per cent of the total electricity demand once the full implementation. Recently, a portal called Global Defense Corporation has published a report based on its own research.

According to the report of Global Defense Corp, Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina embezzled more than $5 billion from the Rooppur nuclear power plant.

According to the organisation, Rosatom, the project's implementing agency, gave her access to finance through a Malaysian bank, mediated by her niece Tulip Siddiq.

According to the report, the cost of the construction of the power plant is estimated at $1,265 million. Which is much more than the actual cost. Rosatom helped Sheikh Hasina siphon 5 billion dollars through various Malaysian banks from the budget of Rooppur power plant.

It is also said that the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made this agreement with Russia through the mediation of her niece Tulip Siddiq. Tulip Siddique, Sheikh Rehana and some family members received 30 per cent of the money smuggled in exchange for this mediation. In 2013, Tulip Siddiq accompanied Sheikh Hasina during her meeting with Russian President Putin.

According to Global Defense Corp, Tulip Siddiq also mediated the Dhaka-Moscow billion-dollar arms deal at that time.

Note that in 2009, a fake company named 'Prachhaya Limited' was launched by Tulip Siddiq, her mother Sheikh Rehana and uncle Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, Defense Advisor to the then Prime Minister. They also have a company called Jumana Investments in the United States.

Global Defense Corp alleged that Sheikh Hasina used to launder money to offshore accounts of various countries through this company.

The portal called Global Defense Corp was launched in 2018. They investigate corruption in the military and defence sectors of different countries. This institution works as a Western shield to prevent the expansion of military power of China and Russia in particular.