A joint investigation by British newspaper The Observer and Berlin-based anti-corruption organization Transparency International has revealed that close associates of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, including former ministers and entrepreneurs, own properties worth more than £400 million (about Tk 6,000). crore). in Great Britain.
There are allegations that these assets were purchased with laundered money siphoned from Bangladesh, the Guardian reports.
The findings, published Saturday in a report by The Guardian, indicate ownership of nearly 350 properties, ranging from luxury apartments to sprawling mansions. Many of these were reportedly acquired through offshore companies and shell entities linked to Sheikh Hasina’s closest allies.
Those involved include Salman F. Rahman, former private sector adviser to Sheikh Hasina and vice chairman of the Beximco Group; Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of Bashundhara Group; Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, former Land Minister; and Nazrul Islam Mazumder, chairman of Nassa Group.
Salman F Rahman
Rahman, who is currently jailed in Bangladesh on money laundering charges, and his family are believed to own several valuable properties in London’s prestigious Mayfair district. These include seven luxury apartments at Grosvenor Square, acquired mainly through offshore entities. In March 2022, Rahman’s son, Ahmed Shayan Rahman, reportedly bought an apartment for £26.75 million and owns another apartment worth £35.5 million.
Legal representatives of the family have denied wrongdoing and claim all takeovers complied with money laundering laws.
Saifuzzaman Chowdhury
Former Lands Minister Saifuzzaman and his family reportedly own more than 300 properties in Britain, worth around £160 million. An earlier Al Jazeera report from September estimated the global value of his assets at $500 million. Bangladesh’s Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has frozen Chowdhury’s bank accounts and a court has seized his real estate in the country. He is also under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and has been banned from leaving Bangladesh.
Ahmed Akbar Sobhan
Bashundhara Group chairman Sobhan and his family reportedly own two properties worth £13 million in Surrey, bought through offshore companies. During the investigation, a mansion linked to Sobhan’s son was identified in the area. The family strongly denies the allegations. Bashundhara’s deputy chairman, Safwan Sobhan, claims the allegations are baseless.
Nazrul Islam Mazumder
Nazrul, chairman of Nassa Group, is also under investigation for money laundering. He and his family are said to own five properties worth £38 million in the London borough of Kensington.
Government actions and legal responses
The government of Bangladesh has taken strict action against those involved. Authorities have frozen bank accounts, seized property and issued travel bans against several individuals, including Sobhan and his family.
In response to the allegations, legal representatives of the accused parties have consistently denied any misuse of funds or unlawful acquisitions. They claim the purchases comply with UK and Bangladesh property and finance laws.
The findings of this investigation have intensified scrutiny of the financial transactions of Bangladesh’s political and business elites, raising broader questions about corruption and accountability in the country.