Bangladeshi authorities have charged former beauty queen Meghna Alam, 30, with extortion after she was accused of attempting to blackmail the former Saudi ambassador to Bangladesh for $5 million (Rs.1.4 billion).
Similar to the Atif Khan fraud in Pakistan, this case has drawn significant attention due to its diplomatic sensitivities and the high-profile individuals involved.
Alam was initially detained earlier this month under Bangladesh’s controversial law that allows for indefinite detention of suspects without formal charges. Police spokesman Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed on Thursday that Alam now faces formal extortion charges related to the alleged blackmail scheme.
According to a senior police official, Alam and several associates allegedly devised a plan to coerce the Saudi diplomat into paying the substantial sum. “Bangladesh has the highest number of expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. The government doesn’t want to jeopardise diplomatic ties,” the official noted.
Saudi Arabia is a major donor of financial and humanitarian aid to Bangladesh and employs over two million Bangladeshi workers, making the case particularly sensitive.
During a court appearance on Thursday, Alam, who was not represented by legal counsel, denied the allegations and called for her arrest to be nullified.
It is reported that Alam claimed the diplomat had initiated contact and sought a relationship with her. Her father, Badrul Alam, supported her account, stating, “The ambassador and Meghna were in a relationship. My daughter refused his marriage proposal because he already has a wife and children.”
The Saudi embassy in Dhaka has not commented on the case. The situation remains under close scrutiny as authorities proceed with their investigation, mindful of the potential diplomatic repercussions.
