ACC initiates process to repatriate Hasina, Tulip

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has officially begun the process to bring ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her niece Tulip Siddiq back to Bangladesh, as they face charges in a high-profile corruption case. 

This was announced by ACC Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Hafiz Ahsan Farid during a press briefing at the ACC office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on Tuesday (April 22).  

Responding to reporters’ queries, Farid said, "We have started the work. The ACC has initiated the process to bring them back."  

Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5 last year amid a mass uprising led by students and the general public. Following the interim government’s assumption of power, multiple cases were filed against her and her family members, including allegations of murder, enforced disappearances, corruption, fraud, and abuse of power.  

Among these, the ACC has filed six cases against Sheikh Hasina and 23 others, including her family members, over charges of abusing authority and fraudulently allocating 60 katha of land (10 katha each) in Purbachal  housing project managed by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK).  

Regarding the repatriation of Sheikh Hasina’s niece Tulip Siddiq, a British MP and former City Minister, the ACC Commissioner elaborated, "We have sent documents from here to the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is called a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR). Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it will be forwarded to the foreign embassy, and then to the Bangladesh embassy abroad. We have started that work. The ACC has initiated the process to bring them back."  

Farid clarified that Tulip Siddiq is being treated as a Bangladeshi citizen in the legal proceedings. "The case has been filed against her [Tulip Siddique] as a Bangladeshi citizen. The legal notices have been sent to his Bangladeshi address. We do not consider her a foreign citizen," he added.  

He further noted that when the case was filed, Tulip Siddiq was residing abroad. Steps are now being taken to ensure his return to face trial.  

When asked whether a red alert had been issued through Interpol to facilitate Sheikh Hasina’s repatriation, Farid responded, "I have no idea about the red alert. It has not been discussed in the commission yet."  

Pressed for details, he said, "It will be discussed in the next commission meeting. If not this week, it will be next week."  

The Bangladesh government has formally requested assistance from international agencies to secure Sheikh Hasina’s return. According to Farid, agreements with various global anti-corruption bodies are currently in progress. "If an agreement is reached, we will receive their support," he said.