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Hasina’s bank accounts frozen

DHAKA: The detained former Bangladeshi Premier and Awami League president Sheikh Hasina faces another crisis with the National Board of Revenue directing all banks and organisations to freeze all her accounts.

The sudden order will apply to Ms. Hasina and her family members — her sister Sheikh Rehana, her nuclear scientist husband Wazed Mia, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul and the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, of which Ms. Hasina is the chief. The account of a welfare fund established to support the August 21, 2004 grenade victims was also frozen. At least 22 Awami League activists were killed in the grenade attack while Ms. Hasina escaped narrowly.

Terming the freezing of bank accounts a “violation of fundamental rights”, Awami League leader Hasan Mahmud urged the Government to revoke its decision.

“Wazed Mia is now in hospital. He is in a critical condition. How will he continue his treatment if his bank account is frozen?”

The authorities earlier confiscated two bullet-proof cars from Ms. Hasina’s residence and seized some documents.

Ms. Hasina was granted bail by the High Court recently but the appellate division of the Supreme Court stayed the High Court order till August 14. Acting party president Zillur Rahman said they were “disappointed” with the Supreme Court order but not “disheartened”.

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