Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhith told parliament yesterday that the government would be able to bring back Arafat Rahman Koko's suspected corrupt money frozen in a Singapore bank under a continuing purge.
"We are active to bring back the money that was frozen. Some initiatives have already been taken in this regard," he said replying to a supplementary question from Awami League MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim. Muhith said a case was filed by the US Justice Department in a court in the District of Columbia and the government wants to see the results of the case.
Based on understandings and agreements Bangladesh has with the US government, "I believe we will be able to bring the money back."
Koko, younger son of ex-PM and present opposition leader Khaleda Zia, is now under treatment in Thailand following his release on parole from jail. He is in a lot of bigwigs booked under the anti-graft crackdown during the past interim regime following the military-backed 1/11 changeover.
Selim, who had also fallen under the anti-graft crackdown, wanted to know if the list of other businessmen and politicians provided by the US authorities for their involvement in 'money laundering' would be presented before the House.
In response, the Finance Minister said it is not possible to publish any name for the sake of inquiry. "It's not possible to publish any list," he said, adding, "I don't think I have the right to make any statement in this regard for the sake of inquiry."
