NN Online:
Documents recovered from Sheikh Hasina’s former residence have shown that Desmond Browne KC, one of Britain’s top barristers, provided legal counsel to the deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime in response to corruption allegations raised in a controversial Al Jazeera documentary, reports The Sunday Times.
The documentary, All The Prime Minister’s Men, exposed widespread abuses of power and systemic corruption within the Bangladeshi government, triggering global outrage and prompting US sanctions on senior Bangladeshi officials. With more than 10 million views on YouTube, the film fuelled intense criticism of Sheikh Hasina’s administration, which dismissed the allegations as defamatory and politically motivated.
According to records obtained by The Sunday Times, Browne was approached in early 2021 by representatives of the Bangladesh High Commission in London.
Following the release of the documentary, journalist Zulkarnein Sayer Khan’s brother was beaten with an iron bar by miscreants linked to the work. Fearing for their safety, some people fled Bangladesh.
The Sunday Times reported that 77-year-old former British Bar Council chairman, barrister Desmond Browne, agreed to assist the Bangladesh High Commission during a virtual meeting on February 10, 2021. The government also expressed intentions to file lawsuits against independent journalists, including Bergman.
The report adds that the Hasina government ultimately decided not to pursue legal action in the UK. Instead, they attempted to pressure YouTube and Facebook to remove the documentary. However, despite the High Court in Dhaka ruling in favour of the government, both platforms rejected the government’s demand.
Last year, Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a student-led movement and fled to India by helicopter. Protesters attacked her residence, where thousands of documents and photos were found.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times reached out to barrister Browne for comment. He acknowledged his initial meetings and advice, explaining that it is not uncommon for a barrister to accept instructions from a potential client. However, he clarified that he did not pursue any correspondence or legal action.
