The government has reported that assets worth BDT 661.46 billion belonging to various business groups have been attached or frozen both domestically and overseas as part of efforts to recover money laundered out of the country.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday, the frozen assets include BDT 556.38 billion within Bangladesh and BDT 105.08 billion abroad, covering both movable and immovable properties. However, the statement did not disclose details regarding the countries involved or the individuals whose assets have been frozen.
The disclosure came on the day of the 30th meeting of the National Coordination Committee on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing. The meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.
During the meeting, a decision was taken to modernize and amend certain provisions of the existing Anti-Money Laundering Act to make the recovery of laundered money and assets from abroad more efficient and effective.
The press release stated that the meeting reviewed the progress of joint inquiry and investigation teams formed to handle 11 priority cases identified for the recovery of funds and assets smuggled overseas.
It was noted that 104 cases have already been filed under these priority cases, charge sheets have been submitted in 14 cases, and verdicts have been delivered in four cases so far.
Additionally, documents related to the 11 priority cases have been sent to authorities in 21 countries under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Officials were instructed to expedite the submission of charge sheets, dispatch of documents to the concerned countries, and ensure speedy disposal of the cases.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur said that recovering money from abroad typically takes at least four to five years.
“This does not happen overnight; it is a fact,” he said. “However, we may be lucky. If the case in London involving former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed is resolved, there could be some recovery. They did not contest the case and lost the first one. Claims have already been filed by Islami Bank and UCBL, and some funds may be recovered.”
However, the governor said it remains uncertain when any recovered funds might be received. “We do not know whether it will come before February, or in April, June, July, or August,” he added.
Earlier, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) had announced the seizure of assets belonging to Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed in London, based on information provided by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
The meeting was attended by senior officials including the ACC Chairman, the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser, the Finance Secretary, the Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Commerce Secretary, the Secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), the Secretary (Bilateral) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Additional Attorney General, and the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Source: bdnews24
