The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has obtained an order to freeze two apartments in London belonging to Ahmed Shayan F Rahman, the son of Salman F Rahman, who served as the Private Industry and Investment Adviser to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
British newspaper Financial Times reports that this action follows allegations of fund embezzlement during Sheikh Hasina's administration.
According to the report, one of the frozen apartments is a luxurious property at 17 Grosvenor Square in London, purchased for £6.5 million in 2010. The other apartment is located in Gresham Gardens, North London, bought for £1.2 million the following year.
UK election-related documents indicate that Sheikh Hasina's sister, Sheikh Rehana, has resided at the Gresham Gardens apartment, though it's unclear if she still lives there. Sheikh Rehana is the mother of Tulip Siddiq, a former UK 'City Minister' and current Member of Parliament.
The NCA stated, "As part of an ongoing criminal investigation, we have obtained freezing orders on apartments at 17 Grosvenor Square and Gresham Gardens. We cannot comment further at this time."
Records show that these two London apartments were purchased through offshore companies registered in the Isle of Man, an autonomous island region associated with the UK.
Mohammad Abdul Momen, Chairman of Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), told the Financial Times that Salman F Rahman and Shayan F Rahman are under suspicion in an investigation into financial embezzlement.
However, a spokesperson for Shayan F Rahman said, "Our client denies all allegations of wrongdoing. If there is any investigation in the UK, he will certainly cooperate."
The spokesperson added, "There is currently political instability in Bangladesh, where hundreds of individuals are facing various allegations. We hope the UK authorities will take this into consideration."
