Shafik's arrest to 'cover up Joy's wealth'

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday claimed Sajeeb Wazed Joy had $300 million in a bank account and that this was mentioned in a case in the United States.

Asking why the government is silent about this, Khaleda also alleged the government has arrested journalist Shafik Rehman to cover it up.

“A young non-resident Bangladeshi collected some information after bribing an FBI agent. A case filed in this connection mentioned that $300 million, which is equivalent to Tk 2,500 crore, remains in a bank account of the prime minister's son [Joy],” Khaleda said at a programme in the capital.

However, The Daily Star could not verify the claims of the BNP chief.

“What is the source of the money?  People want to know how much they got in this way. People think it is their money. Huge assets have been amassed after laundering money earned through plundering and corruption,” she said.

Jatiya Gonotantrik Party, a component of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, organised the programme at the capital's Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, marking its 36th founding anniversary.

The BNP chief said, “An investigation should be launched and the money brought back to the country. But the government is silent over the money.”

In the written speech, she also reiterated her call for talks without further delay to resolve the country's “internal crises”.

“The current government has no mass base as people don't support them. It wants to keep the country's people subservient, depending on the power of others.

“I think the current regime won't be able to cling to power in such a way. That's why I want to ask them to count on the country's people. Through discussion, resolve the country's internal crisis you've created. Time is running fast. Don't try to buy time further.”

Khaleda also expressed concern over the alarming rise in the incidents of secret killing.

“Statements are being issued in the name of different militant outfits to claim the responsibility for the murders. The government is failing to stop the incidents. Instead, they're shifting the blame on the opposition and this is affecting the investigation and hiding the real offenders.”

She said, “According to newspaper reports, around 1,500 people were killed over the last three months.”