British Charity Chief Shayan Caught in Corruption Controversy

The growing controversy surrounding UK MP Tulip Siddiq has now brought attention to Ahmed Shayan Fazlur Rahman, head of a UK-based charity established under the patronage of King Charles III. Shayan, the son of Sheikh Hasina's advisor and business tycoon Salman F Rahman, is under investigation by Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), alongside his family members, as reported by The Financial Express.

In August 2024, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) froze the bank accounts of Salman, Shayan, and Shayan's wife, Shahzreh Rahman. The Mail on Sunday (MoS) reported that Shayan's bank accounts had been frozen in Bangladesh, highlighting his longstanding ties with the Siddiq family. Shayan's relationship with Tulip Siddiq’s family goes back decades, and he is reported to have hosted Tulip’s aunt, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, at his £13 million London home, where Tulip’s mother, Sheikh Rehana, also resides rent-free.

The property in Golders Green, owned by an offshore company controlled by Shayan, has attracted scrutiny. Shayan serves as the chairman of the advisory council for the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles in 2007 to fight poverty in South Asia. He was also the former CEO of the family-controlled Beximco Group, and King Charles has publicly praised his contributions to the charity.

Despite the corruption allegations in Bangladesh, Shayan remains in his role at the British Asian Trust. A spokesperson for the trust said it is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. Shayan’s representatives have denied any wrongdoing, calling the freezing of their bank accounts politically motivated. They emphasized that neither Shayan nor his wife have been charged with any offense.

Shayan has made significant contributions to the British Asian Trust, including a £250,000 donation. His involvement in Bangladesh’s financial sector, including his past role as vice-chairman of IFIC Bank, has also come under scrutiny. Following a change in leadership, Shayan lost his directorship at the bank after a board restructuring.

The controversy has intensified following remarks from Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who made a sarcastic reference to Shayan’s "generosity" in the context of money laundering concerns in Bangladesh.