Wednesday, November 16, 2011
FBI to testify against Tarique
US official to give statement in money-laundering case in court today
An FBI special agent will today testify in a money-laundering case against BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and his business associate Giasuddin Al Mamun.
The agent, Debra Laprevotte, had earlier helped the Anti-Corruption Commission investigate the money-laundering charges against Tarique, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, and Mamun.
This is the first time an FBI agent is appearing as a witness before a Bangladeshi court.
In her statement, Laprevotte will detail how the US Federal Bureau of Investigation tracked the duo's involvement in laundering money to Singapore.
Judge Mohammad Mozammel Hossain of Special Judge's Court-3 yesterday granted permission for the FBI official to testify at the trial today. The order came in response to an application submitted by Anisul Huq, chief counsel for the ACC.
Earlier in the day, Mamun's lawyer completed the cross-examination of the complainant, Mohammad Ibrahim.
Ibrahim, an ACC assistant director, filed the case with Cantonment Police Station in October 2009, accusing Tarique and Mamun of laundering Tk 20.41 crore to Singapore between 2003 and 2007. The trial began on September 11 this year.
In his application, ACC chief counsel Anisul Haq told the court that the commission, during its anti-graft drive in 2007, had sought the FBI's help to recover the money siphoned out of the country.
The assistance was sought under the United Nations Conventions against Corruption for asset recovery.
In response, the FBI assigned Debra Laprevotte to aid the ACC in money-laundering probe against Tarique and Mamun.
Anisul argued that her testimony in the case was of vital importance. Besides, he added, she was now in Dhaka.
The defence opposed the court's decision saying the prosecution's application was unlawful.
Khondaker Mahbub Hossain appeared for Mamun. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was also present at the hearing.
Mamun, now behind bars, was produced before the court during the hearing. He was arrested in March 2007.
Tarique, who was detained on March 7, 2007, and allowed to go abroad for treatment in July the following year, is currently in London.
Of the 15 cases against him, this is the first to go to trial in his absence.
Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210336
