Int�l team meets ACC officials, discusses money laundering
To verify the measures Bangladesh has taken to stop money laundering and terrorist financing, a seven-member international team held a daylong meeting with the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday.
The international team of experts from Asia Pacific Group (APG) met ACC chairman Mohammad Badiuzzaman, commissioner (probe) Mohammad Shahabuddin, commissioner (investigation) Nasir Uddin Ahmed and the director generals (DGs) of the ACC.
The team also held meetings with officials from the financial unit of Bangladesh Bank (BB) and from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Khurshid Alam Khan, the ACCs chief counsel, told The Independent that the international team led by APG principal executive officer David Shannon held a meeting with them. In todays meeting, we showcased the activities of the ACC over the last one year, including the measures we have taken in thwarting money laundering and terrorist financing, he said, adding that they will have another meeting with the team on Tuesday.
Another official present at the meeting told The Independent that the international team was informed about the different measures taken by the country so far to stop money laundering and terrorist financing.
The Bangladesh government has enacted the Money Laundering Prevention Act and amended the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 to align them with international standards. To facilitate international cooperation, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters Act 2012 has also been passed, while money laundering and terrorist financing offences have been included in the schedule of the Extradition Act 1974.
Besides, the government has formed a national coordination committee to make policies and issue directives on money laundering and combat terrorist financing. In January this year, the BB signed a bilateral deal with 13 countries to stop money laundering and terrorist financing, and to take back the laundered money.
