From July Uprising leader to graft probe: Former Yunus govt advisor Asif Mahmud under scanner

Bangladesh’s anti-graft agency said Friday it has sought details of the financial transactions of Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, a prominent leader of the 2024 “July Uprising” that ousted the Sheikh Hasina government, as part of a money-laundering investigation.Mahmud and his wife have been accused of laundering $1.05 billion during his tenure as an adviser in the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration, which governed Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. The Yunus-led administration stepped down after the February 12 elections, which were won by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).“We have asked the Financial Intelligence Unit to provide comprehensive information on the financial transactions and assets of Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and his wife,” an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spokesman told reporters, PTI reported.A key allegation against Bhuyain is that he was involved in laundering Taka 11,000 crore across five countries, including Taka 4,500 crore allegedly siphoned off to Dubai. He is also accused of using illicit funds to purchase land in Portugal.Bhuyain has said that, if found guilty, he would rather serve a prison sentence than flee the country.The ACC has reportedly received more than 2,000 written complaints against advisors and officials of the interim administration.ACC Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan previously denied allegations that Bhuyain was being deliberately targeted, saying the proceedings against him were being conducted strictly in accordance with the law.The anti-graft body launched its investigation on September 2 and has since obtained documents from the local government and youth ministries, which Bhuyain headed during the interim administration.Before leaving office, advisors to the interim government disclosed their wealth statements. Bhuyain, who reportedly did not have a Taxpayer Identification Number before joining the administration, declared assets worth Taka 15.3 lakh at the time.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.