Jul.07, 2010

A Dhaka Court on Wednesday fixed August 10 to decide whether money-laundering charges against BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and his business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun would be taken into cognizance.

After scrutinising the case dockets and other relevant documents, Judge Ismail Hossain of the Senior Special Judges’ Court passed the order.

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday pressed the money-laundering charges against the duo for laundering Tk 20.41 crore in between 2003 and 2007.

ACC Assistant Director Mohammad Ibrahim submitted the charge sheet to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court in Dhaka.

Tarique had realised the money in foreign currencies from different companies and organisations. In exchange for the sums, he had promised to win them contracts using his clout as son of the then prime minister Khaleda Zia, the charge sheet says.

To conceal his identity while drawing the money, Tarique used a supplementary debit card issued against Mamun's account with Citibank Singapore.

Besides the amount shown as laundered, Tarique drew $54,982 (Tk 38.49 lakh) and Mamun $79,542 (Tk 55.68 lakh) from the account on different dates in 2003-07.

Both avoided straight answers to queries on the matter, the charge sheet said. Though on February 23, Tarique mailed a written statement to the commission.