$234b laundered abroad during AL rule, PM tells JS
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday informed the Jatiya Sangsad that an estimated $234 billion was laundered abroad from Bangladesh during the previous Awami League government, citing findings from an official white paper.
He disclosed the figure while responding to a written question from Abul Kalam during the question-and-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad.
The session, presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, marked the Prime Minister’s first participation as Leader of the House in question hour.
According to the Prime Minister, the estimate was prepared by a White Paper Preparation Committee formed by the interim government. The report suggests that between 2009 and 2023, Bangladesh saw an average annual illicit financial outflow of around $16 billion – equivalent to roughly Tk 1.8 lakh crore per year.
Global cooperation to recover funds
Highlighting recovery efforts, the Prime Minister said the government is strengthening international cooperation to trace and retrieve the laundered funds, which are believed to have been transferred to multiple countries.
Ten destinations have been initially identified: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
The Prime Minister said agreements to sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) have already been reached with Malaysia, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, while discussions with the remaining countries are ongoing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating these efforts.
Legal action and investigations
To address the issue, an inter-agency task force has been formed under the Governor of the Bangladesh Bank. The task force has prioritised 11 cases, for which legal proceedings are currently underway.
In parallel, 11 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) have been formed, led by the Anti-Corruption Commission and comprising members from the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell, and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate.
Asset seizures and case updates
Providing an update on enforcement actions, the Prime Minister said courts have so far ordered the attachment and freezing of assets worth Tk 57,168.9 crore within Bangladesh and Tk 13,278.13 crore abroad. In total, assets worth Tk 70,446.22 crore have been seized or blocked both at home and overseas.
A total of 141 cases have been filed in connection with money laundering. Charge sheets have been submitted in 15 cases, while verdicts have already been delivered in six.
Policy priority
The Prime Minister emphasised that recovering laundered assets is a top priority for the government as part of its broader strategy to combat corruption, financial crimes and illicit capital flight.
He also noted that the government’s election manifesto includes a commitment to publish a comprehensive white paper on corruption and money laundering during the previous administration and to take legal action against those found responsible.