[🇧🇩] Everything about Hasina's misrule/Laundered Money etc.

[Saif]

Assets seized in London due to mounting pressure: Governor

Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur said that there has been growing international pressure regarding the issues of money laundering from Bangladesh and the repatriation of those funds. As a result of this pressure, assets in London, United Kingdom, have been seized, he added.

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Assets seized in London due to mounting pressure: Governor
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 24 May 2025, 17: 31

On Saturday morning, during the inauguration ceremony of the Loan Capacity Enhancement Programme at the office of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) in Agargaon, Dhaka, the governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H Mansur, made several remarks. Photo: Collected

Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur said that there has been growing international pressure regarding the issues of money laundering from Bangladesh and the repatriation of those funds.

As a result of this pressure, assets in London, United Kingdom, have been seized, he added.

The governor made these comments at the inaugural event, which was presided over by PKSF chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. Nazma Mobarek, secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, and Hoyeon Jeong, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Bangladesh were present as special guests at the event.

Ahsan Mansur said, "We are greatly encouraged by the recent seizure of assets in the UK. This momentum needs to continue. Many individuals and organisations connected to Bangladesh have laundered assets scattered across the UK. We hope that these can also be identified and frozen."

UK seizes 90 million in luxury properties linked to associates of Bangladesh’s ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has seized luxury properties worth 90 million (approximately Tk 14.79 billion, based on an exchange rate of Tk 164 per pound) owned by two individuals connected to Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister of Bangladesh.

The individuals whose assets have been seized are: Ahmed Shayan F Rahman, son of Salman F Rahman, former Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Sheikh Hasina, and Ahmed Shahriar Rahman, nephew of Salman F Rahman.

According to the seizure order, both Ahmed Shayan F Rahman and his cousin Ahmed Shahriar Rahman are prohibited from selling their properties in London, which include an apartment in Grosvenor Square, a prestigious area. Their names appeared in a Guardian investigation concerning assets held in the UK by individuals close to Sheikh Hasina.

Following today’s event at the PKSF building, journalists asked Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur about the matter. In response, he said: "I recently visited London and had discussions with officials there regarding money laundering. Our chief Adviser also emphasised our commitment to bringing back stolen funds. This is a political commitment, and efforts are being made across all levels. What we are witnessing now is part of that effort, and there is growing international pressure surrounding money laundering."

"Global media outlets like The Financial Times and Al Jazeera are publishing major reports on money laundering involving Bangladesh. British Members of Parliament and NGOs are supporting this issue. As a result, I believe significant pressure has built up, leading to the recent asset seizures by the NCA," the governor added.

When asked how soon the seized assets might be returned to Bangladesh, Ahsan H Mansur said, "Asset seizure does not directly mean the assets will be returned immediately. That will happen after legal proceedings. But the seizure is significant—it prevents the owners from selling or disposing of the assets during the trial. Now, a court will decide whether those assets belong to the UK or to Bangladesh. We will now begin the legal process."
He also noted that similar illicit assets are reportedly held in other countries.

The governor said, "We are working on that as well. Last week, I visited Dubai. I plan to visit Singapore, and I intend to return to London soon. There are also plans to organise an international conference on money laundering."

Ahsan H Mansur emphasised, "We must remind the international community that holding onto such assets is unethical. These assets rightfully belong to the people, and they should be returned. We expect the international community to act accordingly."​

 

[Saif]

Int’l community active to send back laundered money: BB governor

Regarding the issue of bringing back the money laundered abroad, Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur said that this is a political commitment of the interim government...

www.newagebd.net

Int’l community active to send back laundered money: BB governor
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 24 May, 2025, 22:43

Ahsan H Mansur

Regarding the issue of bringing back the money laundered abroad, Bangladesh Bank governor Ahsan H Mansur said that this is a political commitment of the interim government.

‘The international community is also now under pressure to act. Major media outlets such as The Financial Times, The Times of London, and Al Jazeera, publishing extensive articles about Bangladesh’s illicit money laundering cases. More reports will follow,’ he added.

He announced on Saturday that the government is set to introduce new currency notes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with designs emphasizing national heritage rather than portraits.

‘New Tk1,000, Tk 50 and Tk 20 banknotes will be released into circulation before Eid-ul-Azha. The notes will not feature any human portraits but will, instead, showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks of Bangladesh,’ he said.

The governor said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the ‘Credit Enhancement Scheme (CEC)’ organized by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) at the PKSF auditorium in the city.

PKSF chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan presided over the event while Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong and Financial Institutions Division Secretary Najma Mubarak were special guests.

Replying to a question from journalists after the ceremony, Mansur said the new bank notes that the government will release ahead of Eid-ul-Azha will have images of mosques, temples, historical landmarks and natural sceneries printed on them, while these notes will not have images of any person.

‘People will get to see these new notes ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. These notes will not have images of any person printed on them,’ he added.

Asked about what types of monuments will be on these notes, the BB governor said, ‘Some historically significant monuments will be printed on these notes, be it a mosque or a temple. We are not differentiating on this matter.’

The BB governor also detailed the newly launched credit enhancement scheme at PKSF, under which the foundation will provide bank loan guarantees to partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) through a reserve fund of 240 crore taka.

‘A one-time 0.5 per cent commission will apply for each guarantee. This initiative will make it easier for small businesses to secure loans from formal financial institutions,’ he added.

Supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the interim government, the scheme is aimed at boosting access to finance for micro-entrepreneurs across Bangladesh.

Governor Mansur concluded by urging financial institutions to enhance financial literacy nationwide. ‘Every school should be partnered with a bank to educate students on basic financial skills,’ he emphasized, calling for a long-term investment in national economic awareness.​

 

[Saif]

Return stolen assets to rightful owners: BB governor

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Saturday acknowledged the mounting international pressure to repatriate laundered funds and curb illicit financial flows from Bangladesh, citing the recent seizure of assets in the United Kingdom as a significant breakthrough. Speaking at the launch of

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Return stolen assets to rightful owners: BB governor

FE REPORT
Published :
May 25, 2025 07:41
Updated :
May 25, 2025 07:41

The 'Credit Enhancement Scheme' under the Microenterprise Financing and Credit Enhancement Project of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) was launched at the PKSF auditorium in the city on Saturday. Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur was present as the chief guest while PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan presided over the event. — FE photo

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur on Saturday acknowledged the mounting international pressure to repatriate laundered funds and curb illicit financial flows from Bangladesh, citing the recent seizure of assets in the United Kingdom as a significant breakthrough.

Speaking at the launch of the "Credit Enhancement Scheme" under the Microenterprise Financing and Credit Enhancement Project of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), Dr Mansur disclosed that UK authorities had recently confiscated luxury property worth £90 million-approximately Tk 14.79 billion-linked to individuals associated with Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to official reports, the seized property belong to Ahmed Shayan F Rahman, son of former Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, and Ahmed Shahriar Rahman, Salman's nephew. Their assets, including an upscale apartment in Grosvenor Square, London, have been frozen under a National Crime Agency (NCA) order, prohibiting their sale or transfer.

"We are greatly encouraged by the recent seizure of assets in the UK. This momentum needs to continue," said the governor. "Many individuals and organisations connected to Bangladesh have laundered assets scattered across the UK. We hope these can also be identified and frozen."

Dr Mansur revealed that he had recently visited London and engaged in discussions with British authorities on asset recovery. He said the interim government has made a political commitment to repatriating stolen wealth and that efforts are underway on multiple fronts.

"This is a political commitment, and efforts are being made across all levels. What we are witnessing now is part of that effort, and there is growing international pressure surrounding money laundering," he added.

He further noted that international media outlets such as The Financial Times and Al Jazeera have been reporting extensively on money laundering cases involving Bangladesh, while British lawmakers and NGOs have lent their support to anti-corruption advocacy.

Regarding the next steps, Dr Mansur clarified that asset seizure does not imply immediate repatriation. "Now a court will decide whether the assets belong to the UK or to Bangladesh. The seizure is crucial-it stops the owners from selling or disposing of the property during the legal proceedings."

He indicated that similar illicit assets are reportedly being held in other countries, and that Bangladesh is actively pursuing information and cooperation in those jurisdictions.

"Last week I visited Dubai. I plan to go to Singapore, and I intend to return to London soon. There are also plans to organise an international conference on money laundering," he added.

Dr Mansur stressed that the international community must be reminded that retaining stolen foreign assets is unethical, and called for global cooperation to return such funds to their rightful owners-the people of Bangladesh.

On a separate note, the central bank governor announced that half of all agents under the country's agent banking services will soon be women. This move aims to boost financial inclusion and ensure better access to banking for women, especially in conservative or rural communities.

"Female agents can enter private spaces of women and encourage them to open bank accounts," he said, noting that many women still hide their savings at home. "They won't have to do that any longer. They can now open bank accounts discreetly, without needing anyone's permission."

He also mentioned that Bangladesh Bank will soon revise its digital banking licence policy and issue new licences.

In a notable shift from tradition, the governor announced that the government will issue newly-designed Tk 1,000, Tk 50, and Tk 20 banknotes ahead of Eid ul-Adha. These notes will not feature portraits of individuals but will highlight natural landscapes, historic monuments, mosques, and temples.

"These notes will not feature any person. Some historically significant monuments will be printed-be it a mosque or a temple. We are not differentiating on this matter," he said.

At the PKSF event, Dr Mansur unveiled the Credit Enhancement Scheme (CES), designed to ease access to formal financing for microenterprises. The scheme, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will allow PKSF to offer loan guarantees to its partner microfinance institutions (MFIs) through a Tk 2.40 billion reserve fund.

"A one-time 0.5 percent commission will apply for each guarantee. This initiative will make it easier for small businesses to secure loans from banks," he said.

Highlighting the importance of the microenterprise sector, Dr Mansur stated that while it accounts for over 50 per cent of the country's total employment, its contribution to gross national income remains low at around 25 percent. He called for significantly increasing the flow of funds into this sector and advocated for a transition towards a cashless society to reduce irregularities in the financial system.

He also stressed the need for including climate-vulnerable populations in remote areas in formal financial networks.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan, who presided over the event, said CES would formally involve commercial banks in efforts to transform low-income individuals into entrepreneurs. He noted that PKSF is developing a national database of micro-entrepreneurs to streamline financing.

Nazma Mobarek, secretary of the Financial Institutions Division (FID), praised PKSF's high loan recovery rate of 99.9% and called on commercial banks to increase investments in the sector.

ADB's Bangladesh Country Director Hoe Yun Jeong noted that the bank has funded $370 million across seven PKSF projects since 1997, including $200 million for the MFCE project in 2023, of which CES is a component.

Agreements under CES were signed with five commercial banks and one investment company: BRAC Bank, City Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Prime Bank, Southeast Bank, and UAE-Bangladesh Investment Company Ltd (UBICO).

BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Selim RF Hussain, City Bank Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin, Mutual Trust Bank Managing Director and CEO Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Prime Bank Additional Managing Director Faisal Rahman, Southeast Bank Managing Director Abidur Rahman Chowdhury (Current Charge) and the UAE-Bangladesh Investment Company (UBICO) Limited Managing Director (Current Charge) M M Mostafa Bilal signed the agreements on behalf of their respective entities.​

 

[Saif]

NCA freezes Sheikh Rehana’s London home sale

The National Crime Agency has taken the first step in Britain in a corruption case embroiling ex-city minister Tulip Siddiq, by freezing any future sale of her mother’s home, reports The Mail...

www.newagebd.net

TULIP’S ALLEGED CORRUPTION

NCA freezes Sheikh Rehana’s London home sale

New Age Desk 26 May, 2025, 22:02

From left, Sheikh Rehana, Tulip | Collected photo

The National Crime Agency has taken the first step in Britain in a corruption case embroiling ex-city minister Tulip Siddiq, by freezing any future sale of her mother’s home, reports The Mail.

The agency — hailed as Britain’s FBI — last night confirmed obtaining an asset-freezing order on the luxury property in Golders Green, North London, which has been the Tulip clan’s main home for 14 years.

Hampstead Labour MP Tulip’s mother Sheikh Rehana, has been living there since it was bought in 2011 for £1.2 million.

The home, registered in the Isle of Man tax haven, was bought by millionaire Ahmed Shayan Rahman, 42.

He was a chairman of the British Asian Trust, a charity founded by King Charles. Last night the trust said he has stood down over the NCA probe.

Rahman’s father Salman, 74, was a minister for prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed, the aunt of Tulip, 42, who was ousted from power last year after weeks of violent protests.

The freezing order is part of the NCA’s investigation into suspected corruption and money-laundering.

Bangladesh is probing claims Tulip and family members siphoned nearly £4 billion from a nuclear plant deal with a Russian company. Tulip denies any wrongdoing.

She quit as City minister in January after a standards investigation into properties she owned or lived in which were given to her family by her aunt’s allies in Bangladesh.

Tulip did not comment and Rahman could not be reached.​

 

[Saif]

Awami league rule: Up to $20b loan money laundered

About $18 billion to $20 billion was laundered abroad during the Awami League regime, said Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Awami league rule: Up to $20b loan money laundered
Says BB governor Ahsan H Mansur

Ahsan H Mansur. File photo/Collected

About $18 billion to $20 billion was laundered abroad during the Awami League regime, said Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur yesterday.

"Tracking where this money was used abroad or where it was diverted is a massive task for us -- none of us were prepared to handle such tasks," he said at a press conference organised by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit to unveil its annual report for 2023–2024.

Money was taken from the banking sector as loans.

Efforts are underway to reduce bureaucratic complexities to expedite the process of recovering the laundered funds, he said, adding that a joint investigation is ongoing involving 11 teams.

"If we speak frankly, inter-ministerial cooperation is a major challenge in Bangladesh. One organisation can move quickly, but when four or five organisations are involved, it gets caught in a complex bureaucratic web. That's why we are also looking to make some legal changes — because without those, the blame game will just continue, and no real work will get done."

The existing law will be amended to bring the joint task force -- formed with representatives from various agencies -- under a legal framework. The task force would be incorporated into the Money Laundering Act, giving it official recognition as a government agency.

"Once that happens, the task force will be significantly empowered. It will then act as a coordinating body among all stakeholders, helping us overcome bureaucratic obstacles."

The government is receiving considerable support from foreign counterparts, said Mansur, also a former economist of the International Monetary Fund.

Already, the assets of one individual have been seized abroad.

"Our goal is to put pressure on the money launderers so that the funds can be recovered through out-of-court settlements. Our intention is not to harass anyone by putting them in jail. We do not aim to shut down anyone's business. We haven't shut down anyone's business -- those whose businesses have closed, it happened for other reasons."

The process of recovering the laundered money would take three to five years, Mansur added.

Assistance is being taken from the World Bank's StAR (Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative), the US Department of Justice, the International Stolen Asset Coordination Committee and the International Centre for Asset Recovery for this end, said BFIU head AFM Shahinul Islam.

Steps have even been initiated to appoint foreign legal firms to aid in asset recovery.

"However, since the process is long-term and complex, it will take time," he added.

Since July last year, the workload of the anti-money laundering agency has increased severalfold, said BFIU Director Mohammad Anisur Rahman.

Suspicious transactions and suspicious activity from banks increased 23 percent to 17,345 last fiscal year.​

 

[Saif]

Tulip Siddiq requests meeting Prof Yunus over corruption allegation

Former City Minister of the UK Tulip Siddiq has written to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as she wants meet him in London to clear up a “misunderstanding” after corruption allegations made by interim administration led her to resign from the UK government, according to a report run by...

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Tulip Siddiq requests meeting Prof Yunus over corruption allegation

UNB
Published: 08 Jun 2025, 18: 55

Former City Minister of the UK Tulip Siddiq has written to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as she wants meet him in London to clear up a “misunderstanding” after corruption allegations made by interim administration led her to resign from the UK government, according to a report run by The Guardian.

Siddiq, whose aunt ]deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was put on trial in absentia last week over crimes against humanity during her 15 years tenure, has been accused of benefitting from the former regime by the authorities in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus is scheduled to leave Dhaka for London on Monday evening as part of his four-day official visit to the United Kingdom.

A series of allegations have been aired in the media, including the claim from the country’s anti-corruption commission (ACC), that Siddiq or her mother had received a 7,200 sq ft plot of land through “abuse of power and influence”.

Siddiq denies the claims which her lawyers have described as being “politically motivated” and without foundation. She further claims not to have been contacted by the authorities over any of the allegations.

She was cleared of any wrongdoing by the adviser on ministerial standards, Laurie Magnus, but resigned as economic secretary to the Treasury and city minister over the “distraction” being caused for Keir Starmer’s new government.

In a letter to Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel prize-winning economist who is the interim leader of the Bangladeshi government, Siddiq has asked for an opportunity to discuss the ongoing controversy during his visit to London next week where he will meet King Charles and see Keir Starmer in Downing Street.

In her letter, Siddiq writes that she hopes a meeting might “help clear up the misunderstanding perpetuated by the anti-corruption committee in Dhaka that I have questions to answer in relation to my mother’s sister, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina”.

She continued: “I am a UK citizen, born in London and representing the people of Hampstead and Highgate in parliament for the last decade.

“I have no property nor any business interests whatsoever in Bangladesh.

The country is dear to my heart but it is not the country where I was born, live in or have built my career in.

“I have sought to clarify this to the ACC but they refuse to engage with my lawyers in London and apparently keep sending correspondence to a random address in Dhaka.”

Siddiq added: “Every move in this fantasy investigation is briefed to the media, and yet no engagement was facilitated with my legal team.

“I know you’ll appreciate how important it is to ensure those reports do not become a distraction from the critical work of doing my very best for my constituents and my country.”

The ACC has been probing allegations that Sheikh Hasina and her wider family embezzled billions of pounds from infrastructure spending based on a series of claims made by Bobby Hajjaj, a political opponent of the former prime minister.

Siddiq has claimed she is being targeted by a “politically motivated smear campaign” orchestrated by her aunt’s opponents.

Last month it was reported that a warrant had been issued in Bangladesh for Siddiq’s arrest.

She claims to have no knowledge of any such warrant or court hearings to which she was required to appear. As a 2B extradition country, the UK requires ministers and judges to see clear evidence from Bangladesh before they make an arrest decision.

After Siddiq had referred herself to the adviser on ministerial standards last year amid allegations about her acquirement of property in the UK, she was cleared in January of any wrongdoing.

Magnus had found no evidence to suggest that any of Siddiq’s assets were derived from anything other than legitimate means but added that she could have been more alive to the reputational risks arising from her family’s ties to Bangladesh.

The inquiry had also looked into her presence at the signing of a 2013 nuclear deal between her aunt and Vladimir Putin in Moscow over which there had been claims aired in the media of embezzlement by Siddiq. The standards adviser accepted her explanation that she had been in Moscow socially and as a tourist.

Last month the National Crime Agency froze almost £90m of luxury London property belonging to two men linked to Siddiq’s aunt.​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ACC issues fresh summon to British MP Tulip Siddiq over alleged flat acquisition

UNB
Published :
Jun 15, 2025 18:33
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 18:33

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday once again summoned British MP of Bangladeshi origin, Tulip Siddiq, over allegations of unlawfully acquiring a flat from Eastern Housing in the capital's Gulshan area.

The ACC confirmed that a fresh notice has been sent to five different addresses in Dhaka, asking her to appear before the commission on June 22 in connection with the case.

Earlier, in May, the commission had also issued a notice to Siddiq, but she reportedly claimed through various channels that she had not received it.

"In light of her claims, we have now sent the summons to five of her known addresses in the capital," said ACC Director General Akhter Hossain.

He added that the letters were sent through local police stations, registered post and will also be posted to visible locations at the respective addresses by ACC officials.

According to the case statement, Tulip Siddiq illegally accepted a flat from Eastern Housing on Road 11 of Gulshan-2 in violation of applicable laws.​

 

[Saif]

ACC chief questions Tulip’s resignation as UK minister amid corruption allegations

The chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Abdul Momen has questioned why British MP Tulip Siddiq, the niece of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned from her anti-corruption ministerial post if, as she claims, she is innocent of corruption allegations. Speaking at a press confe

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ACC chief questions Tulip’s resignation as UK minister amid corruption allegations

bdnews24.com
Published :
Jun 16, 2025 19:28
Updated :
Jun 16, 2025 19:28

The chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Abdul Momen has questioned why British MP Tulip Siddiq, the niece of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned from her anti-corruption ministerial post if, as she claims, she is innocent of corruption allegations.

Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Monday, he said several cases are ongoing against Tulip, the Labour MP for London’s Hampstead and Highgate constituency, in Bangladesh.

“If Tulip considers herself innocent, why did her lawyer send us a letter? And if she truly knows nothing, why did she resign from her ministerial position?” Momen said.

Tulip stepped down from her junior ministerial role in the UK government in January amid mounting scrutiny following the collapse of her aunt’s administration in August in the face of a student-led mass uprising.

The ACC chief said the national anti-graft agency is treating Tulip as a Bangladeshi citizen based on official records, and legal proceedings are being pursued accordingly.

“She is accused in three cases, and a fourth is in preparation,” he added.

He cited a report published earlier the same day, revealing that Tulip earned Tk 900,000 from a fish farm in Bangladesh in 2013 -- an income she declared in her tax return.

“Regardless of her claim of being a British citizen, the documentation shows she has earnings in Bangladesh. So, as per the paperwork, she is considered a Bangladeshi national,” Momen said.

“Switching between British and Bangladeshi identities as it suits her is questionable.”

Momen said Tulip had requested a meeting with Muhammad Yunus during his official visit to London, but the request was declined.

“She wanted to meet the chief advisor, but he did not agree, and he has provided a clear explanation for that.

“Under our law, an accused person cannot expect such a meeting,” he added.

According to him, the ACC has sent summons to verified addresses under Tulip’s name.

Allegations include irregularities involving a RAJUK plot and another property in Dhaka’s Gulshan neighbourhood.

“We found in her [Tulip’s] tax records that her gold holdings suddenly increased from 10 tolas to 30 tolas, but there’s no corresponding change in value,” Momen said.

He added: “If she really knows nothing, then why did she resign? Why send letters through her lawyer? If she comes to the country and needs legal assistance, we are ready to help.

“But she must face trial under our laws. That’s what we’ve conveyed to her lawyer.”

The ACC chief said the graft buster is issuing letters, summons, and warrants to Tulip, with newspaper notices to follow if needed.

Tulip had sought to meet the interim prime minister during his UK visit in hopes of clarifying what she called “a misunderstanding” surrounding the corruption investigations in Bangladesh.

The former UK City minister had extended an invitation to Yunus for lunch or afternoon tea at the House of Commons.

In the letter, Tulip wrote: “I hope this meeting will help clear the misunderstanding with the Anti-Corruption Commission in Dhaka, which has prompted questions about me in connection with my aunt, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.”

While Yunus met House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle on Thursday, the third day of his UK trip, he did not respond to Tulip’s invitation.

The chief advisor had earlier told the Financial Times that he would not meet her.

An interim administration led by Yunus took charge after Hasina’s Awami League government was overthrown last August.

Corruption investigations have been launched against Hasina, her relatives, and close associates.

Tulip, her mother Sheikh Rehana, and other family members are among the accused.​

 

[Saif]

Court orders Hasina, 11 others to appear

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Tuesday ordered ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others to appear before the court in connection with a case over irregularities in plot allocations in the Purbachal New Town Project.

www.newagebd.net

PURBACHAL PLOT GRAFT CASE
Court orders Hasina, 11 others to appear
ACC asked to seize 200 acres of land of S Alam group

Staff Correspondent 17 June, 2025, 23:59

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Tuesday ordered ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 11 others to appear before the court in connection with a case over irregularities in plot allocations in the Purbachal New Town Project.

The court in a separate order also asked the Anti-Corruption Commission to seize 200 acres of land owned by S Alam Group chairman Mohammad Saiful Alam, his family members, and their beneficiaries over graft allegations.

Judge Md Jakir Hossain of the court ordered Hasina and 11 others to appear before it, responding to an ACC petition as the police submitted a report on previously issued arrest warrants against them.

The court also ordered to publish the order in the form of a public gazette notice.

The other accused in the case are former housing and public works affairs state minister Sharif Ahmed, the ministry’s former senior assistant secretary Purabi Goldar, former RAJUK chairman Anisur Rahman Mia, former RAJUK members Shafiul Haque, Md Khurshid Alam, Md Nasir Uddin, Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, deputy director Nayeb Ali Sharif, the ministry’s administrative official Saiful Islam Sarkar, and the ministry’s former secretaries Kazi Wasi Uddin and Shahid Ullah Khondaker.

ACC public prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said that the court also set July 1 as the date of the next hearing in the case.

On March 25, the ACC submitted six charge sheets against Hasina and others in six cases. Hasina is a common accused in the cases.

The ACC filed the cases with its Dhaka Integrated District Office in January.

The same court on Tuesday also ordered to seize 200 acres of land owned by S Alam Group chairman Saiful Alam, his family members, and their beneficiaries.

The ACC petition said that the commission had already formed a joint probe team and is investigating the allegations of money laundering against Saiful Alam and people related to him.

‘They embezzled a huge amount of money after taking loans from different banks illegally and amassed huge wealth in home and abroad. They are trying to hand over the properties,’ it said.

On April 27, the court ordered the ACC to seize 563.57 acres of land worth Tk 1001.76 crore owned by S Alam Group and its entities.

On April 23, the court also ordered the ACC to seize 159.15 acres of land worth Tk 407 crore owned by them.

On April 9, the court ordered the ACC to seize 7,919.52 kathas of land worth Tk 325.19 crore of the group.

On January 30, the court ordered the ACC to seize 58 acres of land worth Tk 368 crore belonging to Saiful Alam and his family members.

On February 12, the court ordered the ACC to freeze 437.85 crore shares of 42 companies belonging to S Alam and his family. The value of the shares is around Tk 5,100 crore.

On January 16, the court ordered the freezing of more than 32.1 crore shares worth Tk 350 crore in 24 companies owned by S Alam and his family members.

The court on January 14 ordered the ACC to seize immovable properties worth Tk 200 crore and the freezing of 87 bank accounts of S Alam, his wife Farzana Parveen, and 16 of his family members.

Earlier, the ACC started an inquiry against the S Alam group chairman over the allegations of amassing illegal wealth and laundering $1 billion to Singapore and several other countries.

The court on Tuesday also imposed a travel ban on three people from Chattogram for abetting former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury in his financial crimes including money laundering.

The three people, who have been barred from leaving the country, are Utpal Paul, Abdul Aziz and Syed Kamruzzaman.​

 

[Saif]

Fakhrul slams AL over surge in Swiss Bank deposits, cites massive looting

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks last year, saying it has shown the extent of looting by the Awami League’s corrupt elements and mafias. “I was disheartened to see newspap

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Fakhrul slams AL over surge in Swiss Bank deposits, cites massive looting

Published :
Jun 21, 2025 19:19
Updated :
Jun 21, 2025 21:19

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks last year, saying it has shown the extent of looting by the Awami League’s corrupt elements and mafias.

“I was disheartened to see newspaper reports indicating a significant increase in the amount of money deposited in Swiss banks (by Bangladeshis)…It clearly reflects the massive scale of plundering carried out by the mafia and looter clique during the fascist rule,” he said while addressing a discussion, UNB reports.

The programme was organised by the Biplobi Workers Party at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking the party’s 21st founding anniversary.

Fakhrul said he did not exactly know who, when, or how such a large amount of money was deposited in the Swiss banks.

“But after seeing this news, every patriotic person may wonder whether any real change has taken place after the mass uprising… If the report pertains to the year 2024, it is authentic,” he said.

According to media reports, the amount of money deposited by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks has increased significantly, rising 33 times in just one year.

The total deposits jumped to around 590 million Swiss francs in 2024, compared to only 17.7 million francs in 2023, said the latest annual report by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), published on Thursday.

Fakhrul alleged the fascist Awami League has destroyed all the institutions in Bangladesh during its around 16 years of misrule.

“They destroyed the electoral system, state institutions, the judiciary, bureaucracy, education, healthcare and almost every other sector. Now, the current government is trying to restore and fix all these sectors,” he said.

The BNP leader said the interim government has started working to this end and has undoubtedly done a lot of good deeds. “They’re showing us the (right) way. We hope that all political parties involved in the anti-fascist movement will now work together in unity and support them.”

He also hoped that the government will help the nation achieve the goal of establishing a truly democratic state and governance system.

“Let’s all utilise the scope created by the mass uprising to rebuild the state and the nation and to transform the country into a genuine democracy,” Fakhrul said.​

 

[Saif]

Seize assets of S Alam, wife in 3 countries: court

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Tuesday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to seize foreign assets of S Alam Group chairman Mohammed Saiful Alam and his wife Farzana Parveen in three countries, including the...

www.newagebd.net

Seize assets of S Alam, wife in 3 countries: court
Ex-Islami Bank MD Monirul Moula among 10 officials face travel ban
Solamain Salman 24 June, 2025, 21:37

Mohammad Saiful Alam alias S Alam | File photo

The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court on Tuesday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission to seize foreign assets of S Alam Group chairman Mohammed Saiful Alam and his wife Farzana Parveen in three countries, including the British Virgin Islands, over allegations of money laundering.

Saiful Alam, who was a close associate of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and his family members are facing cases and probes into alleged loan irregularities and money laundering involving huge sums.

The court also imposed a travel ban on 10 current and former officials of Islami Bank Bangladesh over allegations of facilitating crooked loans to the S Alam Group, resulting in embezzlement of a huge amount of money.

Judge Md Jakir Hossain of the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court ordered the seizure of the foreign assets of Saiful Alam and his wife following a petition submitted by ACC deputy director Tahasin Monabil Haq.

According to the ACC, the couple owns a two-storey house in Cyprus, shares in 19 companies in the British Virgin Islands, and stakes in six companies registered in Jersey, a self-governing British Crown dependency.

One of the companies in the British Virgin Islands, Hazel International PTE Limited, has an estimated value of $5,95,000.

The ACC alleged that these assets were acquired with funds generated through ‘illegal’ means, and it said the couple might attempt to transfer the properties.

The court ordered the relevant authorities to send copies of the orders to the respective jurisdictions in the three countries for taking the next course of action to seize the assets abroad.

ACC public prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam told New Age that after a court ordered seizure of the foreign assets of any graft suspect, the ACC sent the court’s order and details of the asset through the Bangladesh embassies to the authorities concerned of the countries requesting them to seize the assets.New age fashion

Of the assets ordered to be seized, Saiful Alam owns 7,000 shares (70 per cent of total share) worth $2,45,000 while his wife owns 3,000 share (30 per cent of total share) worth $1,05,000 in Hazel International PTE LTD in the British Virgin Islands.

The company was incorporated on March 19, 2019, for the purpose real estate agents and brokers, hotels and resorts.

The couple own shares in Peacock Property Holdings Limited incorporated on May 22, 2019, in the British Virgin Islands and the company is engaged in investment holdings and the aim of the company is to hold shares in various companies that are engaged in the holdings of real estate and bank accounts in Singapore.

Apart from this, there are investments of Saiful Alam in 18 companies in the British Virgin Islands. The companies are Adair International Pte Ltd which was incorporated in 2021, Canali Logistics Pte Ltd in 2011, Golden Trail International Pte Ltd in 2018, Greenwich International Pte Ltd in 2024, Hamilton International Pte Ltd in 2018, Honeywel International Pte Ltd in 2016, Linear International Pte Ltd in 2024, Livona Pte Ltd in 2018, LU Shui International Pte Ltd in 2020, Marico International Pte Ltd in 2021, Pittsdale International Pte Ltd in 2017, Qing Shu International Pte Ltd in 2020, Springfield International Pte Ltd in 2018, Trivoli Trading Pte Ltd in 2018, Wavepac International Pte Ltd in 2021 and Zenita International Pte Ltd in 2021.

Saiful Alam and Farzana Parveen have also joint investments in six Jersey trusts which are administered by a Jersey trust company in the British Virgin Islands. The six are Maple Trust, Capri Trust, Surrey Trust, Shenton Trust, Marina Trust and Mission Trust.

The investment amount is $210 million in Maple Trust but the amount of investment in other five trusts was not mentioned by the ACC.

The ACC petition said that the commission had already formed a joint probe team and was probing the allegations of money laundering against Saiful Alam and people related to him.

‘They embezzled a huge amount of money after taking loans from different banks illegally and amassed huge wealth in home and abroad. They are trying to hand over the properties,’ it said.

This latest development follows a series of court orders against Saiful Alam and his family members in recent months.

On June 17, the Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Court directed the ACC to seize 200.26 acres of immovable property worth Tk 180.61 crore in Bangladesh.

On April 27, the court ordered the anti-graft agency to seize 563.57 acres of land worth Tk 1,001.76 crore owned by the S Alam Group and its related entities.

On April 23, the court also ordered the ACC to seize 159.15 acres of land worth Tk 407 crore owned by them.

On April 9, the court ordered the ACC to seize 7,919.52 kathas of land worth Tk 325.19 crore of the business group.

On January 30, the court ordered the ACC to seize 58 acres of land worth Tk 368 crore belonging to Saiful Alam and his family members.

On February 12, the court ordered the ACC to freeze 437.85 crore shares belonging to S Alam and his family in 42 companies. The value of the shares is about Tk 5,100 crore.

On January 16, the court ordered the freezing of more than 32.1 crore shares worth Tk 350 crore owned by S Alam and his family members in 24 companies.

The court on January 14 ordered the ACC to seize immovable properties worth Tk 200 crore and the freezing of 87 bank accounts of S Alam, his wife and 16 of his family members.

After the fall of authoritarian Awami League regime in a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024, the ACC started inquiries against a number of business group, including the S Alam Group, over various corruption allegations, including money laundering.

The ACC recently started an inquiry against Saiful Alam over allegations of amassing illegal wealth and laundering $1 billion to Singapore and several other countries.

The court on Tuesday imposed the travel ban on 10 current and former officials of Islami Bank Bangladesh following a petition filed by the ACC.

The officials facing the travel ban are former Islami Bank Bangladesh managing director Mohammad Monirul Moula, Miftah Uddin, Mohammad Ihsanul Islam, Mohammad Sirajul Kabir, Muhammad Kaiser Ali, Taher Ahmed Chowdhury, Mohammad Mostaq Ahmed, Hossain Mohammad Faisal, Ahmed Zubayatul Haque and SM Tanvir Hasan.

The ACC in its plea stated that a probe team had been formed to probe allegations of financial irregularities involving Islami Bank Bangladesh and entities associated with the S Alam Group.

The commission sought the travel ban, stating that the accused might attempt to flee the country, which would obstruct the probe.

The same court on Monday sent Monirul Moula to jail in connection with a case filed against him and 57 others on charges of embezzling Tk 1,092 crore through loan forgery.

Police arrested Monirul Moula from his residence in the capital Dhaka Sunday night.​

 

[Saif]

Attacks on BNP programme in 2023: Hasina, 155 others sued in Khulna

A case was filed on Thursday against 156 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged involvement in an attack on a BNP programme in 2023. General Secretary of Khulna Metropolitan unit BNP, Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, submitted a petition with the Khulna Metropolitan Session J

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Attacks on BNP programme in 2023: Hasina, 155 others sued in Khulna

UNB
Published :
Jun 26, 2025 18:00
Updated :
Jun 26, 2025 18:00

A case was filed on Thursday against 156 people, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged involvement in an attack on a BNP programme in 2023.

General Secretary of Khulna Metropolitan unit BNP, Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, submitted a petition with the Khulna Metropolitan Session Judge court on Thursday morning seeking permission to file a case against them.

Khulna Metropolitan Session Judge Sharif Haidar accepted the petition after hearing in the afternoon.

According to the case statement, BNP organised a programme at Khulna Press Club on May 19, 2023.

Some 50-60 people were injured when police charged with batons and fired bullets.

Police also arrested nine people in this connection.

A number of police officials, former MPs, former ministers and Awami League leaders were made accused in the case.​

 

[Saif]

Court issues gazette summoning Hasina, 22 others in ‘plot graft’ cases

A Dhaka court has summoned deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and several former officials of her administration to appear in six cases over alleged corruption involving plot allocations. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said on Sunday evening

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Court issues gazette summoning Hasina, 22 others in ‘plot graft’ cases

bdnews24.com
Published :
Jul 06, 2025 21:32
Updated :
Jul 06, 2025 21:38

A Dhaka court has summoned deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her family members, and several former officials of her administration to appear in six cases over alleged corruption involving plot allocations.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam said on Sunday evening that the court had earlier instructed the publication of the gazette notices, which have now been issued by the BG Press.

The gazette was signed by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib.

“The court has scheduled July 20 for a hearing in these six cases. If the accused fail to appear before the court by then, the trial will proceed in their absence,” Salam said.​