Who is the President of Southeast Asia “on vacation” after the allegations of corruption in Bangladesh

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The World Health Organization announced that the head of the Southeast Asia Regional Agency “on vacation” after accusations of fraud, and has taken the extraordinary move of appointing a senior official from its headquarters in Geneva as a temporary president.

Tidros Gabriz, who runs the general manager, said in an e -mail to the employees last week, which was seen by the Financial Times, that he had informed the regional member states about the leave period of Sima Wazd, who is leading the regional office of the World Health Authority in New Delhi (Siaro).

Wazed – daughter Sheikh HasinaThe former leader of Bangladesh, the authoritarian toppled last August, was by an uprising led by students- He was accused in March With fraud, forgery and abuse of power by the Anti -Corruption Committee in the country, and it faces arrest if it returns from its stipulated in India.

Those who said in a statement said that Wazed was “on vacation currently” and that Catharina Bouhami, Assistant Director General at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva, was “during this period … as an official officer.”

Boehme’s appointment follows a letter last month by ACC requests the World Health Organization to “facilitate” the appearance of Wazed in front of the Bangladesh courts and “start … all that is required … for a march in a serious criminal crime.”

Among the allegations against her that she illegally obtained a governmental conspiracy.

Global Health Organization It has only a limited impact on its component regional organizations such as Siro, which it controls directly by member states. However, one of the international health officials said that the Central Agency can interfere in alleged corruption. Member countries can also claim elections to replace Wazed.

Wazed, the regional director of SEARO was elected in 2023 in a competition It was distinguished by favoritism allegations.

Cole Chandra Gotam, a former assistant Secretary -General of the United Nations, is called the “very thin” biography at that time, adding: “If she is not the daughter of the Prime Minister, I do not think she will be a serious candidate.”

Wazed had said that these allegations of favoritism were “offensive” and had the skills necessary for this position.

Searo, with an annual budget of more than $ 500 million, plays an important role in health policy and programs in 11 countries covering 2 billion people in the region.

However, since Wazed was elected, he was subjected to Indonesia’s decision in May to withdraw from Siro and join the Who’s Western Pacific.

The interim government in Bangladesh, who assumed power after the expulsion of Sheikh Hasina, welcomed Wazed reports on leave.

The government told FT: “We consider this as a first important step towards accountability,” the government told FT. “We believe a firm belief that the permanent decision is necessary, which removes Mrs. Wise from her position, eliminates all associated privileges and restores integrity to this prestigious role and the credibility of the United Nations system as a whole.”

Wazed was accused of taking advantage of its position and political relations with the suppression of approximately 330 million TK330 million ($ 2.7 million) through the Shuchona Foundation, which is not profitable based in Bangladesh.

According to the officials of the Administrative Coordination Committee, it is claimed that many banks were pressured in directing funds to the institution, which raised concerns about the potential inconsistencies in interests, abuse of power and lack of transparency.

The authorities have seized some Wazed assets and seek to arrest them by red notice. A court in Dhaka, the capital, ordered the confiscation of its apartment in the upscale Golshan neighborhood, noting the need to prevent any asset transfer operations during legal procedures.

Wazed, a psychologist and a defense of awareness of autism, publicly did not respond to these allegations. You did not respond to the repeated requests from FT to comment.

Her brother, I will answer and increase, He has rejected The broader corruption investigations targeting the family as political motives, describing it as part of the “distortion campaign” by the Yunus administration.

Tulip Siddiq, the daughter of Sheikh Hasina’s sister, as well as a deputy employment and close ally of Prime Minister Sir Kiir Starmer, Be forced As the UK’s Anti -Corruption Minister after allegations that she had benefited from real estate related to the Awami Association, the former ruling party.

Bangladesh later issued an arrest warrant for her. My friend’s lawyers said that there was absolutely no basis on any charges against her, and there is absolutely no truth about any claim that she had received a conspiracy from the ground in Dhaka through illegal means.

Kent Boss, a professor at the University of Monash Malaysia, called for a comprehensive reform of the election process for the WHO offices, saying that such measures “may have raised concerns about their nomination if they were implemented.” Possible reforms included a tougher examination, an increase in transparency in financing the campaign and integrity to be a guideline principle.