Subheadline: Facebook post hints at diplomatic unease over Bangladesh’s efforts to recover laundered funds from the UK
New Dhaka Times: Desk Report
Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Bangladesh’s Interim Advisor for Local Government and Youth and Sports Affairs, recently made a Facebook post that has stirred considerable discussion. While he did not mention any names directly, it was evident that he was alluding to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He wrote, “When you want your money back, no one can be found—there’s no difference between friends and heads of government on this matter.”
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor tasked with recovering several billion dollars allegedly laundered during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime, is currently in the United Kingdom. He had sought a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but that request was reportedly denied.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Dr. Yunus stated that the United Kingdom should morally assist Bangladesh’s new government in recovering the money stolen during the previous administration. He claimed that a significant portion of the money is currently held in the UK.
Dr. Yunus confirmed that Starmer has yet to agree to a meeting with him. “I haven’t spoken to him directly,” he said.
The Facebook post by Asif Mahmud, made at 5:30 PM on Thursday, quickly went viral across social media. Many users reacted in the comments. One individual, Sheikh Fahim Faisal, commented, “Still, he’s the Prime Minister of Britain.” Another, Abul Kashem Abhi, wrote, “Some party members are even taking credit for this. Fools, clearly!”
Meanwhile, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has seized nine properties owned by Bangladesh’s former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. The action was taken at Bangladesh’s request.
According to the NCA, the seized properties are worth approximately 90 million British pounds, which equates to 14.7938 billion Bangladeshi taka (at an exchange rate of 164 taka per pound).
An Al Jazeera documentary last year reported that the 56-year-old Saifuzzaman owns over 350 houses and flats in the UK. While it’s unclear how many of those are currently under investigation, a luxury residence in London’s St. John’s Wood area has already been listed as seized, according to I-Unit confirmation.
📰 References from Other News Outlets:
– Bangla Tribune: “UK PM didn’t give time to Dr. Yunus”
– The Daily Star: “UK PM yet to meet Yunus over Bangladesh’s asset recovery effort”
– Samakal: “UK seizes Saifuzzaman’s luxury house”
– BDNews24: “Starmer faces criticism for not meeting Yunus”
– Inqilab: “Adviser mocks British PM in Facebook post”
– Bangladesh Pratidin: “Dr. Yunus in London to recover Bangladesh’s funds”
– Prothom Alo: “Nine of Saifuzzaman’s properties seized in the UK”
– Jago News: “British government criticized for not meeting Yunus”
– Kaler Kantho: “UK has a moral duty to help recover stolen funds: Yunus”
– Jugantor: “Adviser Asif Mahmud’s post hints at British PM”