The United States placed retired general Aziz Ahmed, former commander of Bangladesh’s army, on a visa blacklist due to allegations that he took bribes and gave military contracts to his family in an unlawful manner.
According to the State Department, a statute that combats corruption will prevent Ahmed and his immediate family from entering the country.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement that “his actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes.”
An Al Jazeera program about Ahmed in 2021 said that he had aided two brothers evade Bangladeshi law enforcement by using his position to live opulently and that he had taken use of his status to live a lavish lifestyle.
Ahmed assisted “his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh,” according to the State Department.
He further “operated closely with his brother to ensure the incorrect awarding of military agreements and accepted kickbacks in exchange for appointments from the government for his personal benefit,” according to the report.
Prior to his retirement in 2021, Ahmed was a close supporter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was sworn in this year for a fifth term following an opposition-banned election.
Bangladesh and the United States have typically enjoyed cordial ties, even in the area of security, with Prime Minister Hasina being viewed as a collaborator on a number of matters.
However, Washington has already blocked visas to Bangladeshis accused of tampering with elections and has voiced criticism of what it perceives as an undemocratic shift in the country.