UK Crime Agency Freezes Assets of Disgraced Sheikh Hasina Ally

The UK’s National Crime Agency has frozen assets belonging to Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, a former land minister from Bangladesh accused of money laundering. This action follows an Al Jazeera investigation revealing his ownership of over 350 properties, including luxury homes. Chowdhury claims that these funds were acquired through legitimate means and asserts that the allegations are politically motivated.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken action to freeze the assets of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, a former land minister from Bangladesh, as a part of an ongoing investigation linked to money laundering. Chowdhury, who was a close associate of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made headlines recently following an Al Jazeera investigation titled “The Minister’s Millions,” which scrutinized his substantial overseas property holdings.

The legal action from the NCA was prompted by requests from Bangladeshi authorities seeking to halt activities associated with Chowdhury’s assets in the UK. This move blocks Chowdhury from selling the frozen properties, providing a significant step in the investigation into his financial dealings. An NCA spokesperson recently confirmed these measures, stating that they are part of an ongoing civil investigation into Chowdhury’s affairs.

Chowdhury, who is 56 years old, reportedly owns over 350 properties throughout the United Kingdom. Notably, his luxury residence situated in St John’s Wood, London—purchased for £11 million (approximately $14.8 million)—is now included in this asset freeze. This property had earlier been the location of covert filming by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit, where Chowdhury spoke about his extensive property portfolio in a meeting that marked a long-standing investigation into his wealth while he was serving as a government minister.

At that meeting, Chowdhury expressed his affluence, boasting about his lavish lifestyle that includes expensive suits and designer shoes. He characterized his relationship with the former Prime Minister, asserting, “I am like her son, actually,” while mentioning their shared business interests in the UK.

The investigation revealed that despite a stringent $12,000 annual limit imposed by Bangladesh’s currency laws on citizens’ funds leaving the country, Chowdhury has still managed to amass a property empire worth over $500 million across locations such as London, New York, and Dubai. Notably, he failed to disclose any of his overseas wealth on his Bangladeshi tax filings—a critical point of concern in the corruption inquiries surrounding his financial activities.

Chowdhury’s close ties to the deposed Prime Minister are further underscored by his background from a prominent family in Chittagong. After a severe crackdown on dissent led to student protests and violence, Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh in August 2024. Subsequently, an investigation was initiated into corruption allegations that plagued her administration. Reports indicate that Chowdhury has continued residing in the UK, often spotted strolling in high-class neighborhoods, and maintaining a lifestyle far removed from his previous public office.

Previously, Chowdhury defended his property acquisitions, contending that the funds came from legitimate business interests established before his time in government. However, he has labeled the investigations against him as politically motivated persecution, dismissing the allegations as part of a wider “witch-hunt.”

In summary, the UK’s National Crime Agency has taken significant action by freezing the assets of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, reflecting ongoing investigations into his financial dealings amid corruption allegations tied to his close relationship with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. With numerous properties owned in the UK and claims regarding the legitimacy of his income, Chowdhury continues to face scrutiny following an Al Jazeera investigation that highlighted these issues.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com