Tk76,000cr in assets linked to Hasina, 10 business groups frozen: BFIU chief

Assets worth Tk76,000 crore linked to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 10 business groups have been frozen through court orders in Bangladesh and abroad, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) chief Iqtiaruddin Md Mamun has said.

Of the total frozen assets, Tk57,000 crore are located within Bangladesh, while assets worth Tk19,000 crore have been frozen overseas, he said today (15 July) while speaking at the launch of the BFIU’s annual report at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters.

The BFIU chief said the authorities are continuing efforts to recover assets siphoned out of the country, expressing optimism that there will be positive news on asset recovery by the end of the year.

Mamun also said the agency acts solely on the basis of suspicion, regardless of political affiliation. 

Bank accounts are frozen whenever suspicious activities are detected, he said, adding that if anyone associated with the interim government is found to be involved, it will also be brought to light.