UK lawyers hired to recover stolen money: CA Yunus
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the interim government has appointed legal experts to help recover funds allegedly embezzled and transferred to the UK, adding that the British government has been “highly cooperative” in this effort.
“I deeply admire the urgency with which they are handling the matter,” Prof Yunus told the BBC in an interview during his recent trip to the United Kingdom.
According to the BBC, the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre (IACCC) is considering ways to support the interim government of Bangladesh and its law enforcement agencies in investigating allegations of corruption during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure.
Bangladeshi authorities estimate that approximately $234 billion (£174 billion) was illicitly moved out of the country while Hasina was in office. They claim a significant portion of these funds was funneled into or used in the UK, the BBC reported.
The IACCC is hosted by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), though the agency refrained from providing specific details.
“The NCA does not typically comment on international support matters, nor does it confirm or deny whether an investigation has been launched or assistance provided,” the BBC quoted an NCA spokesperson as saying.
During his visit, Prof Yunus had an audience with King Charles at Buckingham Palace and also met with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds at Parliament. Reynolds later posted on X that the two discussed “shared goals for economic growth, job creation, and prosperity.”
However, Prof Yunus said he was unable to secure a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, describing it as a “missed opportunity.” Starmer is known to be a close ally and neighbour of Tulip Siddiq.
“I’m not sure who should feel more disappointed-me or him. But it’s definitely a missed opportunity,” he told the BBC. “That’s why I say, visiting Bangladesh could offer him a chance to relax and truly experience the moment.”
When asked whether any explanation was offered for the absence of a meeting, he replied: “I don’t believe we received any formal reason. Perhaps he has more pressing commitments.”
Prof Yunus returned to Dhaka on Saturday morning after concluding his four-day UK visit, which featured a number of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening ties between Dhaka and London.