During the Bangladesh Nationalist Party\u2019s (BNP) anti-government rallies in 2023, several senior party leaders defended their acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, against allegations of corruption and terrorism sponsorship. They dismissed claims surrounding his infamous political hub, \u201cHawa Bhaban,\u201d as baseless propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BNP International Affairs Secretary Barrister Rumeen Farhana, appearing on a private television talk show, argued, \u201cThe allegations of corruption and money laundering against our acting chairman have never been substantiated. They are purely political propaganda. Where is the evidence and documents? What has the government done to prove these claims over the years?\u201d She further alleged that significant money laundering occurred under the Awami League government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Legal Affairs Secretary of the BNP Executive Council, described Hawa Bhaban as merely the political office of the party chief, Khaleda Zia, and her son. He stated, \u201cThe narrative around Hawa Bhaban is a media creation and propaganda by those who oppose BNP. No evidence supports these claims. Yes, many cases have been filed, but they are false and lack proper evidence or information.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the reality paints a starkly different picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barisal BNP leader Sarfuddin admits to allowing extortion, bribing Khaleda Zia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Tarique Rahman blaming AL for brother Koko\u2019s death baseless, shameful\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Money Laundering: How Yunus regime used ACC, Supreme Court to acquit Tarique, Mamun<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since relocating to the United Kingdom in 2008, Tarique Rahman has faced multiple convictions in Bangladesh. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the August 21 grenade attack case and a cumulative 48-year prison term in various corruption cases, including one for insulting Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Should he return to Bangladesh, he must surrender to the courts, but he has chosen to remain abroad. His mother, wife, associates, and several high-ranking officials from the BNP-Jamaat coalition government have also faced penalties in related cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Senior BNP leaders and US Embassy officials in Dhaka have revealed that between 2001 and 2006, Tarique Rahman and his associates transformed Hawa Bhaban into an alternative \u201cpowerhouse\u201d to amass wealth. From this heavily guarded office in Banani, Dhaka, critical decisions on governance and legislation were made, often bypassing formal channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the BNP\u2019s tenure (2001\u20132006), Bangladesh was ranked the world\u2019s most corrupt country for five consecutive years by Transparency International. The World Bank cancelled funding for three development projects, citing rampant government corruption. Journalists faced attacks and harassment from government forces, terrorists, and Jamaat-Shibir activists for exposing these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BNP-Jamaat coalition shielded criminals who targeted Awami League supporters, Hindus, Ahmadiyya communities, women, journalists, and marginalised ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and plains throughout the period, journalist and researcher Probir Kumar Sarker writes in his book \u201cThe Dark Prince\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The book explores the political career and controversies surrounding Tarique Rahman and his influence during the BNP\u2019s tenure from 2001 to 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n