TDS Desk:

The US Department of Defense has addressed the sanction imposed against former army chief of Bangladesh Major General (Retd) Aziz Ahmed.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Patrick S Ryder expressed the Pentagon’s opinion on the matter as part of the DoD’s regular press briefing, held on Wednesday local time.

A journalist named Mushfiqul Fazal, representing South Asia Perspectives, asked  Ryder how the Pentagon is navigating its military and security partnership with Bangladesh, given the US public designation of immediate past Army chief of Bangladesh General Aziz, due to his involvement in significant corruption.

Fazal further mentioned that several top police and RAB personnel have been sanctioned by the USA.

In response, the Pentagon spokesperson said, “The State Department has designated General Ahmed for significant corruption. They did this back in May.

“That designation reaffirms the US commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bangladesh, and the department supports the anti-corruption efforts that are being taken there.”

Ryder concluded by saying that the US have a close bilateral defense relationship with Bangladesh in support of shared values and interests, such as a shared free and open Indo-Pacific, and maritime, and regional security.