Diplomatic Correspondent

A highly corrupt mid-level diplomat, Abdul Motaleb Sarker, has allegedly been involved in corruption once again within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sources from various media outlets, government officials, and businessmen have informed   that Motaleb refuses to sign any files without receiving money.

Abdul Motaleb Sarker, the former Bangladesh Ambassador to Lebanon, was called back by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after an internal investigation found substantial evidence of irregularities and non-performance during his tenure. He left Beirut on February 20, 2021, to report to the headquarters.

A Foreign Ministry source told   that the probe, led by a senior ambassador, confirmed the allegations against Motaleb. As a result, he was called back to the headquarters.

A high-ranking official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who requested anonymity, described Motaleb Sarker as the most corrupt officer in the ministry, adding that he is a diplomat with no notable achievements throughout his career. “The management of MOFA is deeply disappointed with Motaleb,” the source said.

Sources within MOFA also told that Motaleb lacks a basic understanding of diplomacy, having studied agriculture. However, they noted that he is skilled at exploiting the system by fabricating false bills and vouchers to siphon off money.

Motaleb Sarker, a self-proclaimed supporter of fascism and a patron of the ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, tries to present himself as an ally of the BNP. However, his friends reveal that he was a leader of the Chhatra League at the Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture Institute (now Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University) in Dhaka.

Motaleb Sarker is the second diplomat from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be called back due to corruption. His predecessor, Ambassador AFM Gousal Azam Sarker, was also recalled from Lebanon in July 2014 on similar charges of irregularities.

Recently, several sources have written to the media, including business, media, and cultural sectors, alleging that Motaleb Sarker demands money for SAARC stickers (visas) in his capacity as Director General of the SAARC and BIMSTEC desk at MOFA.

Former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo told   that such individuals should be removed from government offices, particularly from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is worth noting that Motaleb has been accused of extorting money at every station of his postings, including the Bangladesh missions in Beijing, Paris, Rabat, and Los Angeles, after joining the foreign service in the 13th batch of BCS.

Motaleb Sarker, an agriculture graduate from the former Bangladesh Agriculture Institute in Dhaka (now Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University), could not be reached for comment regarding the allegations of corruption and anomalies despite multiple attempts. He did not respond to phone calls or text messages outlining the allegations against him.