The issue of Aziz and Benji: What they said

There is an uproar across the country over US visa ban against former army chief Aziz Ahmed, seizure of movable and immovable assets of former police chief Benazir Ahmed. Discussions are also going on in the political arena for the past few days. The two main political parties Awami League and BNP are also speaking about them. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson of the US State Department, also spoke.

Matthew Miller on Aziz-Benazir
Corruption hinders economic growth of any country, disrupts development, destabilizes government and hinders democracy, said Matthew Miller, spokesperson of the US State Department. He said these things in response to a question about Bangladesh's former army chief General (Retd.) Aziz Ahmed and former police chief Benazir Ahmed.

A journalist asked him about this during a regular briefing at the US State Department last Tuesday. The journalist asked, 'The fact that the former police chief of Bangladesh is involved in massive corruption has recently come to light. He (Benazir Ahmed) has two US sanctions. Can you tell us if any US agency has come to know that he has any assets in the US or any other country and if any assets have been seized in the US? Similarly, have you received anything about former Army Chief General (retd) Aziz Ahmed, since you recently imposed visa restrictions on him? Are you going to take any action against the top leadership of the government because these people are getting the freedom to do anything or everything?'

Matthew Miller said, 'To answer your first question, I have nothing new to announce. In answer to the second question, I am aware of the allegations and media reports you mentioned. We have been making it clear that we believe corruption hinders economic growth, hinders development, destabilizes government and hinders democracy. The current US administration has embraced anti-corruption as a major national security interest since its inception. We have outlined how to implement this strategy at the highest level in various areas. But I have nothing new to announce. As you know, we (the United States) never announce sanctions or any other action in advance.'

A.League facing Benazir-Aziz trial: Quader
Awami League is facing the trial of Benazir and Aziz, said the party's general secretary Obaidul Quader. He said that the crimes of Benazir Ahmed and Aziz Ahmed are personal. They must be punished for that crime.

He said these things at a press conference organized at the political office of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in Dhanmondi on Wednesday (May 29) afternoon.

Obaidul Quader said, 'Benazir's career and personality, no one from outside thought of her like that, what you know now. You (journalists) didn't think, nobody thought. Aziz Ahmed was very intelligent, he had a degree that many officers did not have.'

He further said, 'Aziz Ahmed was made army chief for his merits. But if he commits corruption, he must be punished.'

Who created Aziz-Benji, Fakhrul's question
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said about former Army Chief General (retd) Aziz Ahmed and former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who created Aziz-Benzi? Their (government) creation. Where was the location of Aziz? Where is he pulled from? Now thousands of misdeeds of Benazir Ahmed are coming out, all of them are loot.

He said these things in the speech of the chief guest at the discussion meeting on the occasion of the 43rd martyrdom anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Dhaka Reporters Unity last Tuesday (May 28).

Government will not give protection to anyone: Salman
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman said, “Government will not give any kind of protection to anyone.” The law will run at its own pace.' Salman F. Rahman said these things in response to the questions of journalists in the meeting room of the Ministry of Home Affairs at the secretariat on Wednesday (May 29).

Earlier, he chaired the third meeting of the National Committee formed to prevent accidents and ensure safe working environment in factories, industries and commercial establishments.

Asked whether the government is embarrassed about the corruption allegations against former army and police chiefs, this adviser to the prime minister said, 'Our Awami League general secretary (Obaidul Quader) has clearly said that if anyone breaks the law, action will be taken according to the law. I don't believe there is any embarrassment for the government here.'