Insiders from the Bangladeshi foreign ministry have been compiling a list of individuals who benefitted from the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration.

Sheikh Hasina was removed from power after 15 years of autocratic rule through a student-led mass uprising. In the wake of her ouster, structural reforms and purges have been implemented across various sectors, including the judiciary, bureaucracy, and police.

As part of it, the interim authorities have begun canceling the contracts of numerous officials stationed at Bangladeshi missions abroad.

While Bangla Outlook has not independently verified this list, officials claim that those who benefited from the previous regime either leveraged their political connections or compromised their neutrality during their postings abroad or at headquarters.

It is to be noted that following his appointment, the interim government’s foreign adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain, stated that the foreign minister is not an isolated figure but rather a conduit for the narrative prescribed by the current government.

The preliminary list includes:

1: Masud bin Momen, Foreign Secretary, who is accused of playing a central role in the international community's recognition of the 2024 national election through misinformation and propaganda.

2: Retired Rear Admiral Md Khurshed Alam, Secretary of the Maritime Affairs Unit, has been with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) since 2009.

3: Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General of Information Technology, who served in the Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi and at the MoFA headquarters in Dhaka. He has been accused by colleagues of working for a foreign intelligence agency and was appointed as the Election Coordinator for International Election Observers for the 2024 national election.

4: Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner to India, who previously served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, Switzerland.

5: Jobayed Hosen, Personal Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and Director of the Foreign Secretary’s Office, has been labeled a ‘collaborator’ of the previous regime.

6: Nayem Uddin Ahmed, Chief of Protocol for the former Prime Minister, who served in Ottawa, Washington DC, and Geneva, is accused of exploiting his connections for political gain through his affiliation with the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League. He was subsequently appointed as Ambassador to Japan.

7: Emdadul Islam Chowdhury, formerly a Minister at the New York Permanent Mission to the UN and Principal Secretary to former Foreign Minister Abdul Momen, has been labeled as one of the foremost beneficiaries of the Awami League regime. He has been accused of overseeing administrative manipulation at the headquarters.

8: With a legal background, Chowdhury was reported to assist the Foreign Minister in crafting propaganda documents, according to officials.

9: Rokebul Haque, Director General for South Asia and previously designated as Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy, was known for his extreme loyalty to the Awami League regime. He allegedly prioritized India’s interests over national interests. Multiple attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

10: DM Salah Uddin Mahmud, Director General of Administration, was promoted to Deputy Chief of Mission at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington. He was known for facilitating the placement of officials with Chhatra League connections into key positions within the Ministry or at lucrative missions abroad, according to officials.

11: Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, Director General of Consular Welfare, was appointed Deputy Chief of Mission in Kolkata based on the recommendation of the Chief Minister of Assam, India, as per MoFA officials.

12: Shanchita Haque, Director General of Economic Affairs, served in Geneva, New York, and New Delhi, and defended the Awami League-led government at the United Nations.

13: Shahanara Monica, Minister at the New York Permanent Mission, also served in Washington and as Director of the UN Division at the Foreign Ministry, where she defended the Awami League government at the UN.

14: Jamal Ahmed, Director at the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu and previously Director at the Foreign Minister’s Office under AK Abdul Momen, was known for his Chhatra League affiliation and promotion of the Awami League regime.

15: Sarwar Mahmood, Ambassador to Spain and former staff member at the New York Permanent Mission, was also affiliated with the Chhatra League and supported the Awami League regime.

16: Swadipta Alam, Director of General Services, served an unprecedented eight years at the London Mission until 2023. He was noted as a key supporter of Awami League activist High Commissioner Syeda Muna Tasneem in London.

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