Tarique laundered money
FBI tells court; US helped ACC as the case was not politically motivated; defence counsels boycott proceedings
An FBI agent yesterday testified in the Tk-20.41-crore money-laundering case filed against BNP chief Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman and his business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun.
This is for the first time that a US Federal Bureau of Investigation agent has testified before a court in Bangladesh. The testimony is expected to be a turning point in the case since the agent has effectively said Tarique laundered money through using Mamun's account in a Singapore bank.
Debra Laprevotte, a supervisory special agent of the FBI, narrated before a Dhaka court how she had tracked down the money allegedly laundered by BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman and Mamun to a bank account in Singapore.
She said the documents recovered from the Singapore bank include detailed records of money transfers and payments made from the account. It also had photocopies of Tarique and Mamun's passports, which were submitted when the two applied for credit cards from the bank.
"The first credit card on the account was a Visa credit card in the name of Mr Mamun," she told the court, adding, "…There is another credit card in the name of Tarique Rahman."
Giasuddin Al Mamun, 47, stood in the dock at the back of the courtroom throughout the two-hour-long proceedings yesterday. Tarique Rahman remains a fugitive.
After Laprevotte's testimony, the judge of Special Judge's Court-3 asked Mamun whether he would like to cross-examine Laprevotte to which Mamun shook his head to say no. His lawyer had earlier left the court protesting Laprevotte's testimony.
When the proceedings began at 11:20pm, barrister Fakhrul Islam, Mamun's lawyer, opposed Laprevotte's testifying. He submitted a petition seeking adjournment of the hearing on the ground that the witness had not been mentioned in the charge sheet and that additional witnesses could only testify after all witnesses mentioned in the charge sheet had given their depositions.
Opposing the petition, Anti-Corruption Commission chief counsel Anisul Haq said there was no legal barrier to having testimony from any additional witnesses. He argued that Section-540 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) says that the court may summon any person as a witness or re-examine any person, even if that person was not summoned before, if his or her evidence is essential to the just decision of the case.
The judge then rejected the defence petition and asked Laprevotte to take the dock.
When she stepped up to the dock around noon, there was commotion. Lawyers, including Khandaker Mahbub Hossain and Fakhrul Islam, representing Tarique and Mamun, boycotted the court and left. They brought out a procession on the court premises in protest later on.
Laprevotte, 50, began her testimony at 12:05pm.
"I'm a supervisory special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation," she said, adding, "I've been an FBI agent for 16 years. I have a master's degree in forensic science and advance training in money-laundering techniques."
"In my country, I'm considered an expert in international money laundering for testimony purposes," she said.
"In 2008, the then interim government of Bangladesh requested the assistance of the United States pursuant to a mutual legal assistance request," she said.
Because of the request, the United States government sent representatives of the department of justice to Dhaka to obtain information regarding the asset recovery cases, she said.
"The US reviewed this request to ensure that it was not politically motivated," she added.
She told the court that she started her investigation with the permission of the US government soon after the representatives of the US department of justice had met the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
"As part of my investigation, I discovered several bank accounts in Singapore. Among these accounts, I discovered a bank account in Citibank of Singapore," she said.
"The account was in the name of Giasuddin Al Mamun."
The US department of justice requested documents regarding the account via mutual legal assistance to Singapore.
"I received the documents for the bank accounts 158052-008 and 158052-016 for the years 2004 and 2005," she said.
She found two credit cards of the account.
"The first credit card on the account was a Visa credit card in the name of Mr Mamun," she told the court, adding that the number of Mamun's Visa credit card was 4568817000064124.
"There was another credit card in the name of Tarique Rahman," she said, spelling the letters of Tarique's name out loud from the paper she held. The number of the credit card was 4568817010064122.
Laprevotte then presented a set of documents, comprising 43 pages, before the court as evidence. She later gave the court another set of documents containing 229 pages.
Laprevotte said while the US received the account records from Singapore, the Bangladesh government also made a request to Singapore, via mutual legal assistance, for the bank records of the accounts, including that of Mamun.
"In December 2009, I compared the records received from Singapore to those received by Bangladesh government from Singapore," she said. "On December 15, 2009, I certified that both copies were identical and signed a letter of certification."
The US department of justice then sent the documents to the attorney general of Bangladesh via the Bangladeshi embassy in Washington DC, she added.
While reviewing all the bank records, she found a photocopy of Tarique Rahman's passport, which was submitted to Citibank Singapore to obtain the second credit card on Mamun's bank account, she told the court.
The number of Tarique's passport was Y0085483 and Mamun's was Q0998382, she said.
"It lists Tarique's father as late President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam. And his mother was listed as Begum Khaleda Zia," she said, spelling each name out loud before the court.
Laprevotte said bank records between 2002 and 2006 show how Tarique Rahman's credit card was used.
"The charges total $50,613.97, which were used for paying for travel to Athens of Greece, Frankfurt of Germany, Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai, along with shopping and medical expenses," she said.
The documents from the ACC revealed that a Bangladeshi businesswoman named Khadiza Islam transferred $7,50,000 to Mamun's account in Singapore, she added.
"These funds were transferred on August 18, 2003. This makes up most of the funds in Mr Mamun's account at Citibank Singapore, which was used to make payments from Tarique Rahman's credit card," she said.
"That is my testimony," said Debra Laprevotte, as she ended her 75-minute deposition at 1:20pm.
After the testimony, the judge called out to Mamun, who stood on the dock at the back of the courtroom, and asked him whether he could hear the judge's voice.
"Now I can hear you," Mamun replied with a smile.
It was then the judge asked him whether he would like to cross-examine the witness. Mamun shook his head.
Debra Laprevotte stepped off the dock at 1:25pm and the proceedings ended at 1:35pm.
Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was also present throughout the hearing.
The next session of the case will be on December 8.
Tarique was detained on March 7, 2007, and was allowed to go abroad for treatment in July the following year. He is in London now. Mamun was arrested in March, 2007.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=210437
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Thursday, November 17, 2011 08:16 AM GMT+06:00 (14 hours ago)
There is no way to cover the money laundering case. This is true that Tarique misused state power and earned huge money through illegal process. People of Bangladesh are working hard abroad and bringing money home and Tarique laundered country's money and took abroad. This is shame for the country.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 07:56 AM GMT+06:00 (15 hours ago)
Totally false and a fabricated person appeared on behalf of AL. Tarique is the future of our BD. No chance to tarnish his image. Answer the people about the looted money by AL corrupt man in the share market. Where Joy got 30 million for crating in US? FBI must check the origin of this money. Tarique's case is nothing. It is only for harassment to Zia family.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 07:01 AM GMT+06:00 (15 hours ago)
The days of evil deeds with impunity is over for any and all Bangladeshi's. There is a trail that can be tracked and USA is on track to clean the pond. We welcome such move and it applies to all corrupt politicians of any party.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 05:45 AM GMT+06:00 (17 hours ago)
Money laundering can save businesses and individuals a lot of money. It is hard to track too that's why it is usually used when the person is making money with illegal activities. If you don't know what money laundering is, this article gives a great explanation.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 04:33 AM GMT+06:00 (18 hours ago)
Is still Khaleda Zia not ashamed of her being a so-called public leader? Corruptions in her own family to the tune of billions of Taka is not only the reason for her to tell the people of Bangladesh
Thursday, November 17, 2011 04:23 AM GMT+06:00 (18 hours ago)
The DS, your front page is full of saga of money laundering by BNP leaders and killing their own people by AL activists.
There is no room to talk about the misery of common man.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 03:43 AM GMT+06:00 (19 hours ago)
I wonder are the BNP lawyers interested in truth? I find this evidence very informative and enough to substantiate misuse of money by Tarique and Mamun. I have nothing to say about these lawyers, simply wonder.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 03:30 AM GMT+06:00 (19 hours ago)
We would like the authorities to follow due process and run this by the book. It would be a shame to see these criminals get away on technicalities just because every step was not taken per dictates of the law.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 02:50 AM GMT+06:00 (20 hours ago)
Tarique Lawyers should have to proved their client was not involved in the Money-laundering even Tarique was not squandered $ 50,613.97 in several occasion. Chanting the slogan with boycotting the court proceedings BNP-minded lawyers tried to carve out Tarique innocence. Tarique Lawyers have to prove in the court that this case has fabricated by government.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 01:48 AM GMT+06:00 (21 hours ago)
Politics aside couldn't the FBI send someone who didn't appear as a cross-dresser? I agree we Bengali love drama, but the state department surely could've send somebody who looked less of an entertainer.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 01:08 AM GMT+06:00 (21 hours ago)
I don't believe or disbelieve what Laprevotte says but I very strongly object to her appearance in Dhaka to testify against two Bangladeshi citizen's crime. Who paid her for this pleasure trip? And why Bangladesh government did'n take proper action through its own agency of this case in the first place? Was it impossible to contact Singapore government and their criminal investigation department and find out if Tarique/Mamun got any account in any Singapore bank and then find out how the amount was siphoned out from Bangladesh to that account?
Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:33 AM GMT+06:00 (11 hours ago)
Why walk-out from court? If they are sure that their suitors are not guilty, better they fight the legal battle. Walk-out means lack of confidence in what they are claiming.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 12:22 PM GMT+06:00 (10 hours ago)
Since the FBI has been so useful in Bangladesh's 'fight against corruption', why doesn't the US help to investigate other cases too? I am not saying that Tarique is innocent but I would like to see more corrupt individuals brought to justice, regardless of their political affiliation.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 12:32 PM GMT+06:00 (10 hours ago)
If a FBI agent testifies the legitimacy of the evidence is way more than our law enforcers. The judge will give more credibility to it and US govt will make sure it is not fabricated or fake.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 01:43 AM GMT+06:00 (21 hours ago)
Having a credit card from an account that is owned by some one else does not prove that he has laundered money! So, this case against Tareque should be thrown out!
Thursday, November 17, 2011 02:14 AM GMT+06:00 (20 hours ago)
Interesting though, she mentions that Tareq spent only 50,000 of the 750000 that was available on Mamuns account. In US, it would've been very difficult to prove a money laundring case out of this. Because he was not the sender or the reciver of the money and the amount he directly used is only 50,000. Ironically, this issue has been presented as the silver bullet for the case. It wouldn't last the premise if there were an independent jury.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 03:31 AM GMT+06:00 (19 hours ago)
Blame the leaders in Bangladesh who is not plundering public money and filling own purse.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 03:37 AM GMT+06:00 (19 hours ago)
Good Lord, if these are our future leaders, we need no thieves! God bless our Bangladesh and its people!
Thursday, November 17, 2011 04:19 AM GMT+06:00 (18 hours ago)
After this news there is no chance for Tarique to prove him not guilty. Now the political carrier of Tarique and Koko has been gone. This is great news for the nation. Now if Joy and Putul could be washed out from politics than nation will be quite relief from Queendom. Let's hope for the best. I am sure if AL did not come in power next time Joy and Putul will be in different crime case. It is over sure. Another deal is going on which was approved from PM's office for the security systems in Hazrat Shajalal airport.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 04:32 AM GMT+06:00 (18 hours ago)
Similar type of corruption is hapenning still now. This society is indebted to corruption with long history ACC to economist Dr Akbar Ali khan and books written by other economists and journalists. We support this govt for digging out this case but nation wants digging out all corruptions financial and power abuse financial and not to pick up only BNP-Jamaat. Foreign ambassadors or Wikileaks or witnesses will be appreciated only for their impartial statement for estabilshing good governance rather than blackmailing the nation with cunningness.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 05:20 AM GMT+06:00 (17 hours ago)
As a credit card security and fraud analyst I do not understand under what law Tarique Rahman is guilty. If Giasuddin Al Mamun permits Tarique Rahman to use his credit card (second card under Tarique name) and Tarique use Mamun's credit, I do not see any problem with that. Internationally is lawful to use others (owner) credit card with his or her permission. Debra Laprevotte's evidence may help finding Mamun guilty under BD Money laundering law, not Tarique, he does not have any involvement. Interestingly all the newspaper highlighted Tarique Rahman as a guilty without knowing any International or DB Credit LawMoney laundering law.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 07:34 AM GMT+06:00 (15 hours ago)
I can remember what Dr Yunus said. We are afraid of young leadership, quoted by Khaleda Zia.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:00 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
Why this pic?
Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:04 AM GMT+06:00 (11 hours ago)
This is probably the most important twist in this case. First, the usage of this credit card has quite strongly proves Tarique's involvement in money laundering, even if it is not dirctly. Secondly, now we know for sure that while in power, Tarique must have hurt US interest very badly and now his political career is at stake. What makes me worried is that only bank statements, credit card statements and due diligence documents of these accounts would have been enough to prove what FBI has tried to prove. Physical appearance of an FBI official gives a different indication. I wish to know what the US has been denied.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 10:29 AM GMT+06:00 (12 hours ago)
Route of all evils of forgetting our creator. We should remember that this temporal world is very short and soon all of us will die and return to our creator with all our deeds and then we will be rewarded or punished as per our deeds. So, we all should be very careful about our every single deed. We should make sure that our all deeds conform to the commandments of Islam.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 08:10 AM GMT+06:00 (14 hours ago)
Share market looted money must be given highest priority. How these people hired? AL like to involve only Tareq. People will never allow you to do that. We like to know in what connection she went to court? Finding no evidence on Tareq this corrupt govt trying to make report by a foreigner. Any citizen can use a credit card in foreign country. Look your own corrupt relatives and party man.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:37 AM GMT+06:00 (11 hours ago)
Why after Tarique? There are thousands who made palaces, both at home and abroad, with plundered public money. Please publish a white paper on the politicians and their immediate family members who happened to be parliament members since independence. We would then know who was what, back in 1971? I hope, the government would have the guts to compile such a compendium and publish that digitally in public domain for future reference.