Ahsan Mansur, Bangladesh Bank Governor, is working with UK authorities to recover billions stolen from Bangladesh amidst a disinformation campaign attempting to discredit him. His efforts focus on corrupt individuals linked to the Sheikh Hasina regime, engaging with legal experts in London. Mansur emphasizes the importance of asset recovery for the nation’s economy and expresses hope for a brighter future following political change.
Ahsan Mansur, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, is collaborating with UK authorities to recover billions of dollars allegedly stolen from Bangladesh over the last 15 years. His efforts are part of an initiative to combat corruption linked to the regime of Sheikh Hasina. As Mansur works to track down diverted resources, he has faced a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining his credibility, coinciding with his meetings in London with officials and asset recovery experts.
During his visit, Mansur engaged with key figures, including Foreign Office minister Catherine West and NGOs, all focused on tracing sundered funds. He expressed a clear commitment, stating, “The asset recovery effort … is to go after those people who have diverted massive amounts of resources from Bangladesh and, in particular, from the banking system.” Despite facing adversity, he remains resolute in his goal to recover looted assets and ensure accountability.
Mansur has been the target of false claims, with emails alleging conflicts of interest linked to his family. Some allegations focused on the lifestyle of his daughter, initiating skepticism about his investigative motives. Mansur affirmed, “She is an American citizen, she has little to do with Bangladesh,” emphasizing the legitimacy of his inquiries concerning Bangladeshi wealth and corruption.
Even as he leads the country’s asset recovery efforts, Mansur clarified that he is not involved in the cases against former city minister Tulip Siddiq, who resigned amidst corruption allegations. He remains adamant that his main concern is pursuing individuals who have harmed the banking system, stating, “My primary target is those who have looted my banks.”
The UK presents unique challenges in asset recovery; however, Mansur noted it remains a favorable ally in the mission to recoup Bangladesh’s misappropriated assets. He emphasized, “It’s one of the favoured destinations for these kleptocrats, not just from Bangladesh but from other countries. It’s a haven, no question about it.” With international support, efforts are underway to navigate the complexities of legal recovery channels.
Mansur organized a significant meeting earlier this month with various law firms and asset recovery trackers, reflecting high interest in participating in the initiative. He remarked on the capabilities of the British legal system in tackling such matters, stating, “We consider that British law has a lot of strong provisions against these kinds of activities.”
The Bangladeshi authorities are strategizing to secure legal judgments against high-profile political figures involved in corruption. Mansur indicated plans for formal requests to the UK government to freeze assets, highlighting that recovering these funds is vital for the economy. He noted, “This is the money of the common people who deposited [it] in banks and it’s been taken out with complete disregard to the law of the land.”
Mansur’s mission holds personal stakes; he returned to public service in his seventies, driven by a desire for reform within Bangladesh. Despite the health challenges his workload presents, he believes in the significance of stabilizing the economy while expressing hope for the future following significant political change: “I never thought I’d see this revolution in my lifetime. Everything happened much faster than what anybody could have thought. It’s a major relief, hopefully for much better things to come.”
Ahsan Mansur is dedicated to recovering stolen assets for Bangladesh, collaborating with UK authorities despite facing disinformation attempts to tarnish his reputation. His commitment underscores a broader effort against corruption that has plagued the nation’s banking system. As he engages with international experts and legal entities, Mansur aims to secure meaningful recoveries that can restore stability to Bangladesh’s economy. His leadership reflects the resilience and hope for a renewed governance landscape in the wake of significant political upheaval.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
