Ahsan Mansur, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, is working with UK authorities to recover billions stolen from Bangladesh over 15 years, targeting associates of the Hasina regime. Despite facing disinformation efforts aimed at discrediting him, he remains focused on asset recovery. The UK is viewed as crucial in this mission, providing support amid extensive corruption investigations.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan Mansur is collaborating with UK authorities to recover billions reportedly embezzled over the last 15 years. His investigations are focused on corrupt officials associated with the Hasina regime who allegedly invested excessively in London real estate. Mansur’s attempts to reclaim these funds have drawn the ire of some powerful figures, leading to a disinformation campaign against him, which aimed to undermine his credibility before his visit to the UK.
During his recent trip to London, Mansur conducted meetings with key officials, including Foreign Office minister Catherine West, NGOs, and legal experts. These collaborations aim to trace and retrieve significant sums from those who have misappropriated finances from Bangladesh’s banking sector. He expressed his intent: “The asset recovery effort…is to go after those people who have diverted massive amounts of resources from Bangladesh.”
Mansur has faced personal attacks, including disinformation efforts questioning his daughter’s financial dealings. Despite this, he maintains his focus on recovering lost assets, stating, “My primary target is those who have looted my banks.” He denies involvement in allegations against Tulip Siddiq, a former minister, emphasizing that his interests lie solely in asset recovery.
The UK is seen as a key player in this mission, although it must navigate the complexities of legal processes involved in asset recovery. Mansur noted the UK, traditionally a safe haven for alleged kleptocrats, has shown support for Bangladesh’s efforts to reclaim misappropriated resources, with experts from the National Crime Agency advising on investigations.
Mansur, who has extensive experience in international finance, is determined despite health challenges, willing to lead the recovery efforts in his 70s. He believes the integrity of the banking system is vital for Bangladesh’s economic stability. He remarked, “This is the money of the common people… and it’s been taken out with complete disregard to the law of the land.”
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s political change, Mansur showed surprise at the Awami League’s rapid fall, forecasting that the regime’s economic failings would lead to its demise. He said, “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’s commitment to recovering billions lost to corruption exemplifies the critical steps Bangladesh is taking to restore its banking integrity. His approach, marred by disinformation campaigns and personal attacks, underscores the challenges of asset recovery within an international context. As Mansur collaborates with UK authorities and legal experts, the hope remains that significant progress can be made in reclaiming the assets that rightfully belong to the Bangladeshi people, paving the way for a stable economic future.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
