- Aziz Ahmed accused of accepting bribes for family benefit.
- Ahmed, his immediate family would not be eligible to enter the United States.
- It was also the subject of an Al Jazeera documentary in 2021.
WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday placed former Bangladesh army chief, retired Gen. Aziz Ahmed, on a visa blacklist over allegations of accepting bribes and improperly awarding military contracts to benefit his family.
The State Department said Ahmed and his immediate family members would not be eligible to enter the United States under a law targeting corruption.
“His actions have contributed to undermining Bangladesh's democratic institutions and the public's faith in public institutions and processes,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.
Ahmed was subject to a Al Jazeera 2021 documentary that alleged he had taken advantage of his position to live lavishly and had helped two brothers flee abroad to escape Bangladesh police.
The State Department said Ahmed helped “his brother evade responsibility for criminal activities in Bangladesh.”
He also “worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit,” he said.
Ahmed, who retired in 2021, rose through the ranks as an ally of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was sworn in this year for a fifth term following an election boycotted by the opposition.
The United States has generally had friendly relations with Bangladesh, including on security issues, and Hasina is seen as a partner on a variety of issues.
But Washington has criticized what it sees as an undemocratic turn in Bangladesh and has previously restricted visas for Bangladeshis accused of undermining the election.
