On Friday, January 30, the U.S. Department of Justice released millions of new files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents revealed the names of numerous influential individuals and organizations worldwide, sparking global attention. Among the emails in the Epstein files, Bangladesh’s internationally renowned research institution, ICDDR,B, was mentioned.
The email described ICDDR,B as a “highly reputed institution” in Bangladesh and discussed a proposal to invest in long-term probiotic research at the organization. According to the released documents, the email’s subject was “Microbiology—ICDDR,B” and was sent on April 17, 2014, to Epstein from a close associate.
The email suggested establishing a public-private research initiative centered on ICDDR,B, offering an assured 3% return on profits from any future probiotics or related products developed there, with relatively low investment. It also noted that, as a charitable organization, ICDDR,B could qualify for U.S. tax-exempt benefits under the 501(c)(3) framework.
Another email in the Epstein files indicates that one of his close associates visited Bangladesh and India on January 4, 2010, though the specific purpose of the trip was not detailed.
