UK Crime Agency Freezes Assets of Disgraced Sheikh Hasina Ally

The UK’s National Crime Agency has frozen multiple properties owned by Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, former Minister of Land in Bangladesh, amid investigations into money laundering claims. This follows a request from Bangladeshi authorities and comes as Chowdhury, an ally of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, faces scrutiny over his amassed wealth and investment practices. The action was confirmed by an NCA spokesperson, coinciding with significant leadership discussions in Bangladesh.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken significant action by freezing a number of properties linked to Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, the former Minister of Land in Bangladesh. This development comes in response to legal requests from Bangladeshi authorities who suspect Chowdhury of money laundering, aligning with Al Jazeera’s investigative report, “The Minister’s Millions,” which spotlighted his questionable wealth accumulation.

Chowdhury, an ally of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is embroiled in an ongoing civil investigation. A spokesperson for the NCA confirmed the asset freeze, stating, “We can confirm that the NCA has secured freezing orders against a number of properties as part of an ongoing civil investigation.” This freeze effectively prevents Chowdhury from selling those assets.

Interestingly, the timing of this freeze coincides with the visit of Bangladesh’s interim leader, Professor Muhammad Yunus, to London. Chowdhury has previously been reported as owning over 350 properties in the UK, including a luxury home in St John’s Wood purchased for £11 million, equivalent to roughly $14.8 million. This particular residence was also the site of undercover footage by Al Jazeera’s I-Unit.

In the investigation, Chowdhury had boasted about his global property empire to undercover reporters, revealing a penchant for high-end suits and distinctive designer shoes. He expressed his close relationship with the now exiled Sheikh Hasina, saying, “I am like her son, actually,” and insisted, “She knows I have a business here.”

Despite a cap of $12,000 on currency exports from Bangladesh, Chowdhury has been implicated in spending more than $500 million on properties across London, Dubai, and New York, while failing to disclose these assets on his tax returns in Bangladesh. This raises further questions about the legitimacy of his wealth.

The ongoing inquiries follow allegations of systemic corruption surrounding Hasina’s government, which fled the nation last year amid violent protests that left hundreds dead. Chowdhury, who has been seen enjoying his life in an affluent London neighborhood, maintains that his investments are the result of legitimate business ventures outside Bangladesh. He has described the investigations against him as a politically driven “witch-hunt.”

The recent action by the NCA to freeze assets belonging to Saifuzzaman Chowdhury highlights ongoing issues of corruption and integrity within Bangladeshi politics. With serious allegations of money laundering and substantial undisclosed wealth, Chowdhury’s case raises significant questions about accountability. Furthermore, this development may signal broader implications for the Bangladeshi political landscape, especially in the aftermath of Sheikh Hasina’s departure and subsequent allegations against her regime.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com