Bangladesh's Former UK High Commissioner Probed for Alleged £1.5 Billion Money Laundering

Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated a probe into Saida Muna Tasneem, the recently controversial former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and her husband, Touhidul Islam Chowdhury, chairman of Generation Next Fashion Limited. The couple faces grave accusations of embezzling and laundering an estimated 2,000 crore Bangladeshi Taka, equivalent to approximately £1.5 billion, through a sophisticated scheme involving 12 alleged shell companies.

Saida Muna Tasneem is reportedly still in London.Dr. Yunus's supporters claim that even during his visit, she actively working against the present government in Bangladesh.The Daily Dazzling Dawn has attempted to contact her for a statement regarding these allegations.

ACC Chairman Mohammad Abdul Moomen confirmed the investigation during a press briefing at the commission's headquarters in Segun Bagicha, Dhaka, on Monday.

Moomen stated that the former High Commissioner and her husband, allegedly working in collusion, obtained loans from various banks and financial institutions—including UCBL, Bank Asia, EBL, City Bank, BRac Bank, NBL, Trust Bank, Southeast Bank, and AB Bank—under the guise of Generation Next Fashion Limited and 11 other commercial entities, many of which are believed to be fictitious. These funds, estimated at around 2,000 crore Taka, were then allegedly embezzled and funneled out of the country.

"An investigation has commenced against them," Moomen affirmed, adding, "Legal action will be taken against them upon the completion of the investigation."

Notably, the former High Commissioner, Saida Muna Tasneem, served during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, holding diplomatic posts in Thailand before her assignment in London. During her time in Thailand, she faced corruption allegations, but these were reportedly suppressed due to her alleged close ties with influential leaders within the Awami League party.