Bangladeshi-origin British MP Apsana Begum has urged the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to investigate allegations of corruption and money laundering against former Bangladesh land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury.
In a letter to NCA Director General Graeme Biggar, Apsana Begum stated that Saifuzzaman is already under investigation by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for alleged embezzlement and claims that he laundered millions of dollars into the UK.
She wrote the letter after a recent Al Jazeera report revealed how the former minister of Bangladesh built a property empire, now subject to corruption investigations.
“74 properties are in Poplar & Limehouse. The National Crime Agency must freeze, investigate & repatriate assets & funds belonging to Bangladesh,” Apsana wrote in her verified Facebook page in a post that also includes a photo of the letter.
In her letter, the UK MP cited an Al Jazeera report titled “The Minister’s Millions,” which focuses on Saifuzzaman’s accumulation of substantial wealth overseas.
“The assets in question belong to Bangladesh and I believe they must be returned to support the people of Bangladesh as they strive for democracy and a society that is run in their interests,” she said in the letter.
Citing a Financial Times report, Apsana pointed out that entities controlled by Saifuzzaman have acquired at least 280 properties in the UK, with a total value exceeding 150 million pounds.
“Given that Bangladesh’s ACC is seeking international cooperation to recover any misappropriated funds, I would be most grateful if you can clarify what steps have been taken to investigate and freeze all UK-based assets owned by Mr Chowdhury and others subject to these corruption investigations,” she wrote.
She added that freezing and repatriating the relevant funds is crucial not only for justice and the protection of people’s rights in Bangladesh but also for safeguarding the UK’s reputation and international standing.
The Al Jazeera report, published on 18 September, revealed that Saifuzzaman Chowdhury has amassed a staggering amount of wealth abroad ranging from hundreds of luxury properties spread across multiple continents, luxury cars, crocodile shoes to Italian suits.
The AJ report highlights that his property buying gained pace in 2017 when he set up UK companies but accelerated in 2019 when he became a government minister.
Earlier this year, Bloomberg News reported that Saifuzzaman Chowdhury has built up a UK real estate empire of more than 350 properties worth over Tk2,000 crore. The Bloomberg reports also suggest the former minister’s involvement in investments in Manhattan, US, further adding to the scrutiny surrounding his financial portfolio.
