Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has said that the US sanctions on some Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members, including him from his time leading the paramilitary force, are the result of a USD 100 million project.
The IGP said this at areception organized in his honor on the occasion of his visit to the US on Thursday night (New York time).
“A vested quarter hired four international lobbyist firms and gave them USD 25 million each for the project. After trying for three years, these firms were finally able to persuade the US government to impose sanctions on Rab and me,” said the IGP.
At the event, Benazir once again clarified that he had no connection with the enforced disappearances that the US government has alleged.
“The US government said that 600 people have become victims of enforced disappearances since 2009. I joined Rab in 2015, which means I had nothing to do with it. Besides, the US government hasn’t been able to provide a list of the disappeared people. This means that the allegations aren’t true,” Benazir added.
However, Benazir also said that he doesn’t want to blame the US government for the sanctions.
“I don’t want to blame the US government as they didn’t do it on their own. The US didn’t hire the lobbying firms, rather they were influenced by some lobbyists who were hired by another party. We have very good people-to-people relations with the US, and we’re always trying to strengthen them further,” the IGP said.
The IGP then asked everyone to remain vigilant about attempts to damage the historical ties between Bangladesh and the US.
