Dhaka: Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman Dr Abdul Momen today announced that the United Kingdom government has seized assets belonging to former Bangladesh land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, valued at approximately Tk 1,060 crore.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Momen revealed at a press conference at the ACC’s Segunbagicha office that Javed had acquired 580 flats overseas, with 343 located in the UK, using funds allegedly laundered from Bangladesh. The estimated value of these seized properties in the UK stands at about £73.15 million, which equates to Tk 1,025 crore in Bangladeshi currency. Additionally, Javed’s bank deposits in the UK are estimated to be around £2.5 million, equivalent to Tk 35 crore.
Momen highlighted the ACC’s collaboration with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) during a recent official visit. This cooperation involved sharing a preliminary list of individuals suspected of money laundering, facilitating the identification and seizure of Javed’s assets. The ACC chairman expressed gratitude to the NCA for their assistance in this operation.
Dr Momen also stated that the Bangladesh government is actively working to repatriate fugitive accused individuals under the Extradition Act, 1974, as well as through bilateral agreements with other countries. He mentioned ongoing efforts to leverage international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) to address such issues.
Earlier, on October 16, 2024, a court issued a seizure order, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Request (MLAR) was subsequently submitted to the UK’s central authority.