Dr Yunus seeks dismissal of embezzlement case against him

Professor Muhammad Yunus has appealed to the High Court to quash the embezzlement proceedings brought against him.

The application is expected to be heard by a division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Kazi Ibadat Hossain.

The defendants’ lawyer, Abdullah Al Mamun, told BSS: “The request was made on behalf of 7 people, including Dr. Muhammad Yunus.”

Judge Syed Arafat Hossain of Dhaka Special Court-4 has been ordered to lodge charges against 14 people, including the Nobel laureate, for embezzling around Tk 25.22 crore from Grameen Telecom’s welfare fund, BSS reports.

July 15 has been set for the hearing on the formulation of the charges.

Bangladeshi-American Platform Writes to Peter Haas to Criticize Dr. Yunus’ Actions

The Committee for a Democratic Bangladesh, a nonprofit platform of Bangladeshi Americans, has written to U.S. Ambassador Peter Haas about the legal troubles surrounding Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The letter notes that Dr. Yunus’ employees have sued him for illegally withholding dues.

“The court found that Dr Yunus was also not paying his taxes. He was convicted and sentenced to jail. But strangely, Dr Yunus, even today, blames Sheikh Hasina for his misfortunes,” the letter read.

The platform asked the US ambassador to present his views to President Joe Biden. The message was also sent to Senator Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama and the political office of the US State Department.

The letter claims that Dr Yunus enjoys the support of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It points out that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has granted licenses for his microfinance loan programme and other ventures, such as Grameen Phone and Grameen Bank, with the Bangladesh government contributing Tk 500 crore for its initial capitalisation.

“I think the US President has been overwhelmed by Dr Yunus’s overly powerful US lobby. I think the US government should call for a UN audit of all companies controlled by Dr Yunus. The US and the CIA must be aware of the 43 assassination attempts on Sheikh Hasina,” Khalid Hasan, chairman of the Committee for a Democratic Bangladesh, wrote in a letter on behalf of the platform.

The letter also refers to the August 21, 2004 grenade attack aimed at assassinating Sheikh Hasina.

“BNP leader Tarique Rahman and the Interior Minister of the BNP government conspired and executed a violent grenade attack on a gathering of Awami League leaders and organizers after a protest. Sheikh Hasina was miraculously saved,” the letter read.

At least 31 people, including Ivy Rahman, wife of Awami League’s first general secretary Zillur Rahman, were killed. Most of the survivors were injured by grenade shrapnel. The attack was aimed at eliminating the Awami League leadership.

The letter criticizes the lack of action by the US government and the silence of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Yunus regarding the attack.

“Unfortunately, the US did not respond. It did not demand the resignation of the BNP government. The silence of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Yunus was also surprising. He did not condemn the grenade massacre or console the victim’s family or party,” the letter read.

The Committee stresses that Sheikh Hasina’s continued tenure as Prime Minister is crucial for national development and legal reform. It draws parallels with the United States’ struggle for independence 200 years ago.

“Bangladesh must uphold its ‘war of independence ideals’ and curb Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists. Sheikh Hasina is pursuing this policy seriously. We must allow her to continue unabated,” the letter concluded.