BFIU summons bank accounts details of 12 journalists

The Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the country's financial intelligence agency, has summoned the bank accounts of 12 journalists. The agency has also sought information about the bank accounts of their sole proprietorships.

On Monday (December 30), the BFIU sent a letter to all banks seeking information.

The 12 journalists include former Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh Zafar Wazed, former Managing Director of the Journalists' Welfare Trust Subhash Chandra Badal, former Chief News Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad, Editor of Dhaka Times Arifur Rahman Dolan, Special Correspondent of Bangladesh Post Nurul Islam Hasib, Chief News Editor of Nagorik TV Dwip Azad, Deputy News Editor Md. Omar Faruk, Channel i's special correspondent Hosne Ara Mamata Islam Soma, Daily Janakantha Deputy Editor Obaidul Kabir Molla, Daily Jagran Editor Abed Khan, freelance journalist Ajay Dasgupta and Global TV's Editor-in-Chief Syed Ishtiaq Reza.

The letter states that if any suspicious transactions or evidence of money laundering or irregularities is found in the accounts, the BFIU allows the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and law enforcement agencies to investigate these accounts.

The letter sent to banks and financial institutions states that the relevant information (account opening form, KYC and transaction details) of the persons whose accounts are summoned should be sent to the BFIU within two working days from the date of the letter.

Earlier, on November 25, the BFIU summoned the bank accounts of 26 journalists from the country.