The High Court today (August 14, 2022) observed that the statements made by the Switzerland ambassador, Bangladesh government, and ACC regarding seeking information on money deposited by Bangladeshis to Swiss banks are contradictory.
The HC observed that the statement of Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard, who reportedly said that Bangladesh has never sought any specific information on money deposited by its citizens to banks in Switzerland, has created an embarrassing situation.
The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat made the observation after Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit and ACC placed two separate reports before it, saying that they have sought information about the money at different times since 2013.
Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik submitted the report from BFIU to the HC bench saying that BFIU has sought information from Switzerland Financial Intelligence Unit through Egmont Secure Web (ESW) about 67 persons and organisations, who have allegedly deposited money to banks in Switzerland, but Switzerland Financial Intelligence Unit conveyed that they have no information on them except one.
ACC lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan told the HC that ACC has sought information from Switzerland Financial Intelligence Unit in 2014, 2019 and 2021 through BFIU but did not get any information.
The High Court bench asked DAG AKM Amin Uddin and lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan to place their written statements swearing affidavits before this court by August 21.
The court set August 21 for passing further order on this issue.
