494 Crore 'Deer Villa', Awami Safe Haven, and the Sabotage of National Interests

Months-long investigation by The Daily Campus (TDC) has exposed serious allegations against Sahidur Rahman, Honorary Consul of Bangladesh in Oslo, Norway. The report claims the Consulate was repurposed as a hub for laundering looted national wealth, sheltering fugitives of the ousted Awami League regime, and deliberately sabotaging Bangladesh's vital export industries, particularly the RMG sector.

Consulate or Safe House? 16 High-Profile Visits in 6 Months

From February to July 2024, during the buildup to the student-led uprising, the Oslo Consulate reportedly hosted at least 16 visits by key figures from the former regime's inner circle. Confirmed visits include Salman F Rahman (4 times), Shamsul Haque Tuku (3 times), Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal (former Home Minister, 1 visit), Benazir Ahmed (former IGP, 1 visit), and multiple visits by Mozammel Hossain, Ruhul Haque, and Shahriar Alam.

According to sources, many exiled Awami League leaders, former ministers, and Members of Parliament, who face serious criminal charges related to the July 2024 massacre and crimes against humanity during the student-led uprising, have reportedly been living with their families in or using Shahidur Rahman's Dubai apartments as safe havens following the ouster of the Awami League government.

The ‘Deer Villa’ Scandal: A 494-Crore Monument to Money Laundering

The investigation highlights a luxury estate in Norway, known as the "Deer Villa", allegedly purchased for the son of former Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku at a cost of 494 crore BDT. Sources claim Sahidur Rahman personally brokered the deal, using his diplomatic status to evade scrutiny. The property is described as a vast private wilderness where deer roam freely. Investigators believe it was part of a "placement" strategy to launder black money from Bangladesh for the Tuku family.

The villa is located 1.5 kilometers above ground level in an exclusive area typically home to Norwegian billionaires with private helicopters. In return, Tuku reportedly gifted Rahman a house in Dhaka's Gulshan area.

Economic Treason: Targeted Sabotage of the RMG Sector for India

Despite a consul's duty to promote bilateral trade, Rahman is accused of acting against Bangladesh's interests by undermining the RMG sector. He reportedly held private meetings with Norwegian buyers, disparaging Bangladeshi garments as "substandard" and produced through "exploitative labor practices", while urging them to switch to Indian suppliers praised for "superior quality and ethics". This allegedly caused the collapse of multi-million dollar deals, harming the national economy.

The Mango Heist: Misappropriation of a National Gift

A consignment of premium Harivanga mangos, sent as a diplomatic gift for the Norwegian Royal Family and officials to promote "Brand Bangladesh", was reportedly diverted. Instead of reaching the palace, the mangos (over 450 cartons) were sold for cash to a Turkish fruit businessman at a local shop in Oslo.

Threats During the July Uprising

Norwegian records confirm Rahman registered a branch of Bangladesh Awami League in Norway, the only one outside Bangladesh, facilitated by former Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan and former Deputy Speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku. Rahman has attempted to deregister it, but the Norwegian government refused. Expatriates accuse him of threatening pro-democracy students during the July Uprising, using phrases like "When Sheikh Hasina catches someone, she never lets him go", "Your family is back in Bangladesh, I'll make sure they don't ever see you", and other warning of consequences upon return to Bangladesh. Former Swedish Ambassador Mehedi Hasan reportedly phoned to intimidate activists.

Recent Activities: Reorganizing Awami League in Europe

On 22 January 2026, Rahman allegedly held a secret meeting at Oslo's Radisson Hotel with Swedish Embassy Ambassador Wahida Ahmed, colleague Rehena Parvin, and Awami League activists,including Asaduzzaman Lincoln and Suman Patwari. The meeting aimed to reorganize and strengthen Awami League activities across Europe. Rahman is accused of directing efforts beyond Norway to bolster the party in multiple European countries.

Tuku's sons reportedly operated a banking business similar to Western Union under the name "Smallwall" with 18 branches in Norway, later shifted to Sweden for safety concerns.

The Bangladesh community in Norway views Rahman's continued tenure as a threat to national interests and urgently calls for his immediate removal from the Honorary Consul position.

The Daily Campus made repeated attempts to contact Honorary Consul Shahidur Rahman on numerous occasions through official channels, including phone calls, emails to the Consulate in Oslo, and other available means, in order to seek his response, clarifications, denials, or any supporting evidence regarding the allegations outlined in this investigation. Despite these efforts, no comment or response was received from him or his office prior to publication.