Govt pursuing 11 cases to recover laundered funds linked to Hasina-era figures: PM in parliament
He said the recovery of illicitly transferred assets has been given top priority and an inter-agency taskforce, led by the governor of Bangladesh Bank, has been formed to coordinate the effort.
Highlights
- Govt pursuing 11 priority cases to recover laundered funds
- Taskforce formed under Bangladesh Bank governor to lead efforts
- $234bn siphoned abroad between 2009-2023, says white paper
- Assets worth Tk70,446 crore frozen at home and abroad
- 141 cases filed; 15 charge sheets, 6 verdicts delivered
- MLAT deals underway to trace funds across 10 countries
The government is currently pursuing legal action in 11 priority cases to recover funds allegedly laundered by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her associates, and beneficiaries of her administration, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament today (22 April).
Speaking during the question-and-answer session, he said the recovery of illicitly transferred assets has been given top priority and an inter-agency taskforce, led by the governor of Bangladesh Bank, has been formed to coordinate the effort.
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Responding to a written question from Munshiganj-3 MP Md Kamruzzaman regarding the recovery of an estimated $234 billion allegedly siphoned abroad during the Awami League regime, the prime minister cited findings from a white paper committee formed by the interim government. The report estimates that illicit financial outflows from Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023 totalled approximately $234 billion, averaging $16 billion annually.
He said the government is strengthening international cooperation to recover the funds, including exchanging information, identifying assets, and enhancing mutual legal assistance with relevant countries.
As part of this effort, Bangladesh is working to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) and facilitate Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs). Of 10 initially identified destination countries – United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong – Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the UAE have agreed to sign such agreements, while discussions with the remaining countries are ongoing.
To advance investigations, 11 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) have been formed under the leadership of the Anti-Corruption Commission, with participation from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police, the National Board of Revenue's Central Intelligence Cell, and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate.
The prime minister said that, as of 25 March 2026, courts have ordered the attachment and freezing of assets worth Tk57,168.09 crore within Bangladesh and Tk13,278.13 crore abroad. In total, assets amounting to approximately Tk70,446.22 crore have been frozen or attached both domestically and overseas.
He added that 141 cases have been filed so far over money laundering allegations, with charge sheets submitted in 15 cases and verdicts delivered in six.
Highlighting broader efforts, the prime minister said asset recovery is a key component of the government's strategy to combat corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes. To strengthen the process, a Stolen Asset Recovery Division was established under the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) on 22 February 2026.
He also noted that the government has prioritised publishing a comprehensive white paper on corruption and illicit financial flows during the previous regime, and taking legal action against those identified.
