<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>The U.S. Department of State has announced the public designation of former General Aziz Ahmed, previously Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, due to what it says his involvement in "significant corruption".</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">His actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes, it said</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh," said the US Department of State.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aziz also worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit, the Srate Department claimed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law in Bangladesh," said the US government.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The United States supports anticorruption efforts in Bangladesh through assistance to make government services more transparent and affordable, improve the business and regulatory environment, and build capacity in investigating and prosecuting money laundering and other financial crimes, reports UNB.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">These public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd/fas</div>