Thread by @AJIunit

EXCLUSIVE: How a criminal gang claims to have captured the Bangladesh state.
Getting rich from their links to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and using state security forces as their personal thugs.
Follow the story with #DhakaMafia

Meet Haris Ahmad, a member of a notorious crime family, convicted of murder, on the run for 20 years. Yet he claims to have the Bangladesh government at his disposal.
Our latest film reveals how deep his connections go. #DhakaMafia

Here’s a guide to who’s who in the Ahmed clan.
They started out running kidnapping and extortion scams in the 1980’s. Then they protected Sheikh Hasina as she rose to power. Now their brother Aziz runs Bangladesh’s army.

Mohammad Hasan only exists on paper. Haris Ahmed’s fake identity has helped him evade capture and travel the world freely for 20 years, despite being on an Interpol Red Notice list. Here’s where he’s travelled to on his fake passport. #DhakaMafia
aje.io/aqyt9

We’ve obtained a cache of documents that show how one of Bangladesh’s most wanted obtained EU residency on a fake ID and built an empire of businesses and property across Europe.
You can search the #DhakaMafia files here👇: aje.io/kcxhh

As well as helping them to get rich, General Aziz Ahmed protects his fugitive brothers from being arrested and returned to Bangladesh. When our source tried to distance himself from the #DhakaMafia he received death threats from the General.

We found evidence the Ahmed brothers were making trips to Bangladesh, even though they’re officially fugitives. They were even photographed at the 2019 wedding of General Aziz’s son.

Follow #DhakaMafia throughout the week as we bring you developing news from this story.
Watch the full documentary All the Prime Minister’s Men here: aje.io/clph7

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement describing the I-Unit’s investigative reporting as a “smear campaign” orchestrated by opponents of the regime.
#DhakaMafia

It also dismissed statements made by Haris Ahmed, the brother of Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff, as baseless adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has no affiliation to Ahmed or any other state institution.
#DhakaMafia

Hot take from @MoFA_Bangladesh

MOFA: Haris Ahmed is a psychopath.
So It's “irresponsible” to believe his claims about links to state institutions.

EVERYONE ELSE: Here’s a photo of him at an official event with his army chief brother last month!

#CameraNeverLies
#DhakaMafia