Foreign Ministry Denies Corruption Claims as Audit Misinterpretations

On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Foreign Service Association (BFSA), addressed recent media reports alleging corruption among embassy officials. The reports, based on the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) claims, suggested that these officials had illegally amassed wealth through misuse of power.

The Ministry clarified that these allegations stem from routine audit objections, which are currently under review and pertain mainly to pension-related discrepancies. They stressed that such audit issues should not be misconstrued as corruption.

The ACC’s report claimed that officials and their families accumulated substantial wealth both domestically and internationally. However, the Ministry dismissed these claims as unfounded and expressed readiness to cooperate with any lawful investigation based on credible evidence.

Routine audits across government departments ensure financial compliance. Any identified discrepancies lead to repayment demands, typically deducted from pensions. The Ministry highlighted that recent financial regulations, which inadequately address the unique challenges faced by overseas embassy staff, have led to these audit objections.

Additionally, the Ministry criticized the premature release of sensitive information and called for an investigation into the leak. Many of the officials named have concluded their careers honorably and resolved all audit-related issues.

The Ministry cautioned that such unverified allegations could harm the reputations of dedicated officials and the Foreign Cadre’s image. They emphasized that baseless claims are unacceptable and warned of potential legal action against those responsible for the information leak.

In closing, the BFSA reaffirmed the commitment and professionalism of Foreign Cadre officials, urging the public to avoid misinterpretations and assured that the Ministry remains committed to maintaining the country’s integrity and reputation.