Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has questioned how the BNP managed funds to hire a lobbying firm in the United States.
“They have hired a lobbyist in the USA, but what is the source of the money? No one has inquired whether the money was sent through a legal channel, or was laundered,” she said at a press briefing on Wednesday in Dhaka.
Politico recently reported that the BNP had hired two firms to lobby the Trump administration for its support ahead of the upcoming general election in Bangladesh.
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It reported a statement issued by the US Department of Justice which said that BNP leader Abdul Sattar hired Blue Star Strategies at a cost to the party of $20,000 in August, and $35,000 a month for the rest of the year.
The statement added that Rasky Partners is working as a subcontractor to Blue Star, for fees of $10,000 in August, and $15,000 a month for the rest of the year.
BNP top brass has denied any knowledge of the contracts.