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Published : 28 Apr 2026, 09:55 PM
Recovering illicit assets siphoned from Bangladesh will take time because the process must go through the courts and meet a strong evidential threshold, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke has said, while stressing that the issue remains a “high priority” for the UK government.
Speaking at a DCAB Talk organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh on Tuesday, Cooke said the UK had been working closely with Bangladesh on asset recovery for the past 18 months to two years.
“We are very committed to working further in that area,” she said. “Of course, we can’t talk about specific cases. They all need to follow due legal process and make sure that they are evidence-based. But it is a high priority for us.”
Cooke said the UK had frozen £250 million worth of assets currently held in Britain since June last year, describing it as evidence of London’s commitment to supporting Dhaka’s efforts.
“You asked for more information about the work on asset recovery. As I said, we are very committed to working together on this. We’ve frozen £250 million of assets since June last year,” she said.
“But of course, returning assets takes time. It’s a legal process. It requires a very strong evidence base to go through the legal system. So it’s not something that can happen overnight.”
She said expert-level technical discussions between the two countries were taking place.
“We are committed to taking that forward. We remain ready to work with Bangladesh on these issues. Experts-to-experts talks and technical-level discussions are regularly happening.”
The question of asset recovery has gained renewed prominence since the fall of the Awami League government, with successive administrations seeking to trace and recover wealth allegedly moved abroad through corruption and illicit finance.
Cooke said the UK would host an international illicit finance summit in June, bringing together partners to discuss how to tackle illegal financial flows. Bangladesh is expected to be represented, subject to the availability of Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
“We look forward to welcoming the honourable finance minister, should his diary permit,” she said.
No Comment on Individual Returns
Asked whether fugitives accused in murder cases over the July Uprising could be returned from the UK, Cooke said she could not comment on individual cases or possible returns.
“It’s not possible for me to discuss possible returns,” she said. “We can’t discuss individual cases, but what we do is work together closely in such a broad area of issues. We have a very good relationship where we can talk these things through.”
UK Welcomes Truth and Healing Commission Pledge
The UK's top diplomat in Dhaka also welcomed the BNP’s manifesto commitment to establish a Truth and Healing Commission, saying it could play an important role in political reconciliation after the violence and upheaval of July 2024.
“Obviously, the events of July 2024 remain very fresh in many people’s memories and the situation still feels very raw,” she said.
“What we welcome is very much the government’s commitment in their manifesto to a truth and healing commission, because that will be an important step towards justice, accountability and also truth-seeking for abuses that were committed under the former regime.”
Cooke said such a process could help advance the broader national healing Bangladesh now requires.
Airbus, Aviation and Hub Ambitions
Cooke also addressed questions about the aviation partnership signed last month between Bangladesh and the UK, saying the agreement was designed to strengthen cooperation in a sector where Dhaka wants to position itself as a regional hub.
The deal has drawn attention because of continuing discussions involving Airbus aircraft and British company Menzies Aviation’s interest in ground-handling operations at Shahjalal International Airport.
The high commissioner said the memorandum of understanding was a government-to-government framework intended to support Bangladesh’s aviation ambitions, rather than an announcement on specific commercial deals.
“We know Bangladesh has an ambition to be a regional aviation hub and we believe that the UK can help support those aspirations and those ambitions,” she said.
“It’s a government-to-government agreement. Of course, I can’t comment on commercial negotiations that are going on at the moment, but we are very committed to supporting the ambitions for Bangladesh, Dhaka, to become a regional aviation hub.”
Asked specifically about Airbus Industries and the latest status of commercial talks, she said it would not be appropriate to provide details.
However, Cooke said a diversified fleet strategy could bring significant benefits to Bangladesh and support Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ role in building the country’s aviation capacity.
“What I can say is that we believe that Airbus, a mixed fleet strategy, diversifying, would bring significant benefits to Bangladesh,” the British envoy said.
She added that such a strategy would help support Bangladesh’s wider ambition to become a regional aviation hub, while reiterating that she could not comment on commercial negotiations.
