The Embassy Journal Desk :The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into 38 Bangladeshi embassy officials across 10 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, following allegations of corruption. The charges against the diplomats include misuse of power, embezzlement, and causing financial losses to the government.
According to an ACC official, a formal letter was sent to the respective embassies and high commissions yesterday, requesting detailed information about the officials involved. The letter specifically seeks the current workplace, designation, and addresses, both permanent and current, of the implicated individuals. Additionally, the ACC has requested details about their previous roles, including the branches they oversaw and their designations during the 2016-17 fiscal year.
The investigation encompasses a wide range of officials, including ambassadors, heads of chancery, and consular officers, as well as secretaries from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassies involved are located in the US, UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, China, Dubai, Italy, Switzerland, and the Philippines.
Responding to the ongoing investigation, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain clarified that the allegations could stem from audit objections rather than outright corruption. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the two, stating that audit issues often get misinterpreted as corruption. “We will cooperate fully with the ACC to verify whether these allegations are indeed cases of corruption,” Hossain added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to taking appropriate actions based on the findings of the investigation, once it is confirmed whether the accusations involve genuine corruption or are simply audit-related concerns.
