BFIU freezes accounts of Saima Wazed's Suchona Foundation

The accounts will remain frozen for 30 days

সায়মা ওয়াজেদ।

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, or BFIU, has ordered a freeze on the bank accounts of the Suchona Foundation, an organisation chaired by Saima Wazed, daughter of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

The directive was sent to various banks and financial institutions on Sunday, according to a senior official of a private financial institution.

In its letter, the BFIU invoked Section 23(1)(c) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, instructing the suspension of transactions in the foundation’s accounts for 30 days.

The agency also asked for the account information and up-to-date transaction statements within five working days.

Apart from Saima, the trustees of the foundation include Mazharul Mannan, Md Shamsuzzaman, Zain Bari Rizvi, and Nazmul Hasan, whose names were also mentioned in the BFIU directive.

According to its website, the Suchona Foundation, established in 2014, is a non-profit entity supporting individuals with mental disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism, and mental health challenges. Saima serves as its founder and chairperson.