Court orders freeze on 124 bank accounts linked to Hasina, her family

The ACC says that attempts are being made to transfer, relocate or conceal movable assets

A court has ordered the attachment of 124 bank accounts linked to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her two children and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana.

Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain Galib issued the order on Tuesday in response to a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, or ACC, according to the anti-graft agency's spokesman Akhtarul Islam.

The ACC's petition noted that the individuals involved were attempting to transfer, relocate or conceal movable assets. The agency argued that it was necessary to immediately freeze the accounts in the interest of a fair investigation.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, or BFIU, has frozen Tk 6.35 billion held in 124 bank accounts linked to Hasina and her family members. The information was disclosed during a meeting on anti-money laundering measures, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, where Bangladesh Bank presented the findings.

Following the meeting, Yunus's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that assets linked to Hasina and her family members have been traced to the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands.

Additionally, an investigation has uncovered the existence of a Russian "slush fund" in a Malaysian bank account associated with the family.

TRAVEL BAN ON HASINA'S FAMILY

The court also issued a travel ban on Hasina and several members of her family, who fled to India in the face of a student-led mass uprising, in connection with allegations of massive financial embezzlement in the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

The restrictions were issued in response to another petition by the ACC.

The order applies to Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed, Rehana, and her children Tulip Siddiq, Azmina Siddiq and Radwan Mujib Siddiq.

According to the ACC’s petition, an investigation is underway into allegations that around Tk 590 billion had been misappropriated under the guise of constructing the nuclear power plant.

A five-strong team has been formed to probe the matter and submit a report.

The petition added that reliable sources have indicated that the accused individuals were "secretly planning to flee the country secretly with their families".

It argued that if they flee abroad, it would impede the investigation process and access crucial evidence.

In light of these concerns, the ACC emphasised the need for an immediate travel ban on the accused individuals.