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Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, Information Advisor to the Chief Advisor, announced that allegations of corruption against the interim government would be investigated. He stated that the government aims to equally bring all corruption allegations, from both past and present times, under investigation.
Responding to a question regarding the investigation of corruption allegations from the interim government’s tenure, he clarified that corruption is a criminal offense with no statute of limitations, making it possible to investigate such allegations at any time. He emphasized that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is an independent institution, and it should independently investigate if specific allegations arise against an advisor of the interim government, anyone from the former Awami League government, or an individual within the current administration.
He made these remarks on Tuesday at the Secretariat during a briefing on the government’s overall activities, in response to journalists’ questions.
He further informed that the Awami League would not be able to conduct political activities under any name while its operational ban remains in effect. He commented that they cannot carry out organized activities as long as the court’s injunction is upheld.
He also addressed the dissemination of Sheikh Hasina’s statements. He noted that despite a legal ban on the propagation of her hate speech, some media outlets are not fully complying. He urged the media to respect the law in this regard.
It is noteworthy that on August 5, 2024, following the student-people’s uprising, then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country. Subsequently, on December 5, the International Crimes Tribunal imposed a ban on the dissemination of her hate speech through media and social networks.
The Information Advisor stated that due to her status as a convicted defendant, there is a ban on broadcasting Sheikh Hasina’s statements. In this context, he expressed hope that media outlets would comply with the law and established norms in their reporting and play a responsible role.
During the briefing, he also mentioned that BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) has thwarted 165 ‘push-ins’ along the Indian border and 15 along the Myanmar border.