Customs officials seize former UNDP Bangladesh chief's car over duty irregularities

The car imported under duty-free facility by former UNDP resident representative in Dhaka has been seized.

Customs officials say Stefan Priesner, who served as the UNDP chief between 2008 and 2012, sold the sport utility vehicle (SUV) to one of his colleagues without completing the formalities regarding the duty.
 
Priesner now serves as the UNDP resident representative in Uzbekistan.
 
Customs department traced the car to one Ashikul Hasib Tarik at Dhaka's Uttara on Monday.
 
In a statement on Tuesday, the Customs Intelligence Department said that it had seized the car after going through the documents and being confirmed about the irregularities.  
 
"Priesner handed over the car, which was brought under the duty-free facility, without completing the proper formalities before leaving the country," said Customs Intelligence's Director General Moinul Khan.

Stefan Priesner

"He did not even submit the documents issued by the customs department. He sold it to a UNDP mid-level officer, Ashikul Hasib Tarik."

Moinul added that legal action will be initiated against both of them.
 
According to him, it is mandatory to inform the customs department when a diplomat, who used a duty-free car, leaves the country. "If he or she wants to sell it, then the duty has to be paid." 
 
He said it was an 'uncalled-for behaviour' from a diplomat. "He did not care to inform the customs or the government, he just sold it before leaving."
 
Customs officials said Tarik was not at home when the car was seized and that his wife could not produce any documents.
 

"She did not cooperate with the officials initially, but later admitted the car was brought under the duty-free facility and that they had bought it from a privileged person," reads the statement issued on Tuesday.

The car was found with the yellow licence plate on it, issued for cars used by privileged persons.

The Customs department said former UNDP staffer Tarik has also violated the law as he used the car without paying the duty.