State Department Correspondent
About Bangladesh sanctioned IGP Benazir Ahmed’s recent meeting in New York, the US state department has said they do not publicly comment on issues related to potential sanctions violations or license applications.
A State Department spokesperson told Just News in a written response to a follow-up question on violation of US visa conditions by IGP Benazir during the UN Police Summit.
The spokesperson further said, “U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with blocked persons unless authorized by OFAC or exempted by statute.”
On Tuesday, in reply to a query on the same issue, the State Department spokesperson Ned Price said they were not aware that inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed had joined a public meeting in New York.
A spokesperson of the State Department, later, clarified the country’s position in response to a written question.
“We do not publicly comment on issues related to potential sanctions violations or license applications. Please note that U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with blocked persons unless authorized by OFAC or exempted by statute,” said the spokesperson.
On September 1, IGP Benazir attended at a rally in the name of civic reception organized by ruling Awami League supporters at Gulshan Terrace near Jackson Heights, Queens . US Awami League leader Hindal Qadir Bappa presided over the event, while Bangladesh Consul General to New York Dr Mohammad Monirul Islam was present.
IGP Benazir spoke over the meeting as chief guest and said, “That vested quarter spent $25 million annually employing four lobbyist farms. Those farms worked relentlessly for three years to have the sanction imposed,”
The IGP said 22 people are spreading anti-state propaganda on social media.
He also question about US press freedom and warned the right activities and journalists about an hour long aggressive speech.
The US imposed sanctions on six former and current officials of Bangladesh’s elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) including Benazir Ahmed for human rights abuse in December last year.
