C T Online Desk: The accounts would stay frozen for at least 30 days.
The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has ordered a freeze on the bank accounts of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Hossain Putul and her sister Sheikh Rehana’s son Radwan Mujib Siddique Bobby.
In addition, the bank accounts of Awami League’s research wing, the Centre for Research and Information, or CRI; and its Youth Bangla project have also been blocked.
Joy is the chairperson of CRI, while Putul works as vice chairman and Bobby as a trustee.
The BFIU sent a directive to commercial banks on Monday, one of the agency’s senior officials confirmed.
The official said the bank account of the Hasina government’s state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu has also been frozen. He was one of the trustees of CRI.
The banks have been instructed to send over information to the BFIU about the accounts if they are operated in the name of their other family members and entities associated with their interests.
The agency under Bangladesh Bank said the relevant sections of the Money Laundering Prevention Act will be applicable in the order over the suspension of the transaction.
Joy was an honorary information and technology advisor to Hasina when she was in power. Putul, an autism specialist, has been serving as the regional director of the World Health Organisation since Nov 1, 2023. She currently lives in New Delhi, India.
Although Bobby did not hold any position in the Awami League government, he had worked to empower and inspire the youths through ‘Young Bangla’.
The accounts would be kept frozen for 30 days and the period can be extended further, according to a letter sent to banks by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).
