UK will provide legal assistance to Bangladesh in getting seized money: Sarah Cooke

British High Commissioner to Dhaka Sarah Cooke has said that legal assistance will be provided to Bangladesh in returning the seized money to Bangladesh.

She said, "Returning seized money to Bangladesh is a legal process and requires very strong evidence to complete it. It is time-consuming. However, Britain's cooperation will continue."

She made the remarks at a discussion organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh- DCAB on Tuesday (April 28).

Responding to a question from journalists, Sarah Cooke said, "Since June 2025, the UK has seized more than 250 million pounds of assets from Bangladeshi individuals. This is an expression of the UK's strong commitment to maintaining the integrity of the international financial system and the rule of law. However, legal action will have to be taken to return this money."

She said, "To help curb such financial crimes, the UK will host an 'Illicit Finance Summit' in London this summer, to which the Finance Minister of Bangladesh has been invited."

Responding to a question about the differences between the government and the opposition over the implementation of the 'July Charter', the British High Commissioner said that this will have to be resolved by discussing it in the National Parliament. It is not a matter for the international community.

Responding to a question about whether it will provide any assistance in bringing back those who took refuge in the UK after the July uprising, she said that the UK does not disclose the personal information of any citizen.

Responding to a question, she further said that the UK has been providing assistance to the government for reforms in various sectors, especially in economic reforms and export diversification.

When asked about the UK's role in resolving conflicts in the Middle East, the British High Commissioner said that both Bangladesh and the UK have been affected by this conflict. The UK is working intensively behind the scenes to resolve this conflict.

DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Imrul Kayes also spoke at the event.