Fakhrul blasts AL over surge in Swiss Bank deposits
Staff Reporter :
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday voiced serious alarm over the sharp rise in deposits made by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks last year, calling it a stark indicator of rampant looting by corrupt elements and mafias linked to the Awami League.
“I was deeply troubled by newspaper reports highlighting a dramatic increase in funds deposited with Swiss banks by Bangladeshis. It is a glaring reflection of the large-scale plundering orchestrated by a mafia syndicate under fascist rule,” he said while speaking at a discussion.
The event was organised by the Biplobi Workers Party at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking the party’s 21st founding anniversary.
Fakhrul admitted he was unsure about who deposited the money, or when and how it was transferred.
“But upon reading this news, every patriotic citizen is bound to question whether any real transformation has occurred following the mass uprising. If this report concerns the year 2024, then it is indeed credible,” he noted.
Citing media reports, Fakhrul said deposits by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks soared by an astounding 33 times within just one year – rising to approximately 590 million Swiss francs in 2024, up from only 17.7 million francs in 2023, according to the latest Swiss National Bank (SNB) report released on Thursday.
He accused the ruling Awami League of systematically dismantling Bangladesh’s institutions over its nearly 16 years in power.
“They have decimated the electoral system, state institutions, judiciary, bureaucracy, education, healthcare – virtually every sector. Now the current government is attempting to restore and reform these areas,” Fakhrul said.
He acknowledged that the interim government has taken some positive steps and expressed optimism about its direction.
“They are showing us the path forward. We urge all political forces that stood against fascism to now unite and support these efforts,” he added.
Fakhrul also expressed hope that the interim administration would help realize the vision of a truly democratic state.
“Let us all seize the opportunity created by the mass uprising to rebuild the nation and establish genuine democracy,” he concluded.