The U.S. Department of State announced today that former General Aziz Ahmed, who previously served as Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, has been publicly designated due to his involvement in significant corruption. His actions have undermined Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and eroded public trust in governmental processes.
Aziz Ahmed engaged in corruption by interfering with public processes to help his brother avoid accountability for criminal activities in Bangladesh. He also colluded with his brother to secure improper military contracts and accepted bribes for government appointments for his personal gain.
This designation underscores the U.S. commitment to bolstering democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bangladesh. The United States supports anti-corruption efforts in Bangladesh by providing assistance to enhance the transparency and affordability of government services, improve the business and regulatory environment, and strengthen the capacity to investigate and prosecute money laundering and other financial crimes.
These public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. As a result, Aziz and his immediate family members are generally ineligible for entry into the United States.
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}