Hasina denies corruption charges

BANGLADESH: Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed denied corruption allegations Wednesday, saying the military-backed government was trying to tarnish her image.

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh premier between 1996 and 2001, was charged with extortion in April as part of the emergency government’s nationwide drive against corruption.

Two graft cases relating to the purchase of more than 223 million dollars of defence equipment were revived against her late last month as the government stepped up anti-corruption efforts.

“I can say upon oath that I did not ask money from anyone or tell anyone to give money to someone else in my whole life,” Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Awami League, one of Bangladesh’s two major parties, told reporters.

“They are saying I own billions of taka. I want to see where the money is. What is the source of this money? They are writing lies and trying to malign my chracter. This must stop,” she said referring to reports in the local dailies.

Dhaka, Thursday, AFP