However, in a letter sent to the Home Advisor on Tuesday, Erik Ershad said that he is safe with his mother.
In the letter, Erik wrote: "I, Shahata Zarab Erik Ershad, am the only son of former President Hussein Muhammad Ershad. My father formed the Hussein Muhammad Ershad Trust for my future livelihood, of which I am the sole beneficiary."
On January 10, the Trust’s Chairman Fakhrul Uz Zaman Jahangir requested the intervention of the Home Ministry to ensure Erik’s safety and to maintain the Trust's regulations.
Erik claimed in his letter that Fakhrul Uz Zaman is an illegal chairman of the Trust.
He also wrote: "I am completely safe and not at any risk."
In addition, Erik attached documents to the Home Ministry accusing Kazi Mamun and Fakhrul Uz Zaman of irregularities.
On Wednesday afternoon, Erik’s mother Bidisha confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Bangla Tribune.
She said: "Erik has explained everything in his letter. I do not wish to comment further."
In his letter, Erik said: "Due to the lack of reliable income from the Trust, I am currently dependent only on the rent from two apartments and one shop. This is not sufficient to cover my daily expenses, so I regularly rely on financial support from my mother."
Erik accused Kazi Mamun of conspiring to separate him from his mother, Bidisha.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the day after the letter was sent, Kazi Md Mamunur Rashid held a press conference in Dhaka.
Kazi Mamun, the Secretary General of Jatiya Party's Raushan Ershad-led faction, expressed concern, saying: "The properties left by Hussein Muhammad Ershad are being misappropriated. From the Trust’s side, Erik’s expenses are covered by rents from one shop at Kuwait Maitree Market in Banani and two apartments in Gulshan and Banani, totalling around Tk320,000 per month."
"Bidisha Siddique has been demanding large sums of money from us every month under the pretext of supporting Erik Ershad," Mamun alleged.
"She is, in a way, holding Erik hostage."
Mamun revealed that Ershad had established the Trust on April 7, 2019, transferring a significant portion of his assets into it.
According to the Trust’s objectives, the income from the assets is to be used for the welfare of his son Shahata Zarab Erik and for charitable purposes.
Bidisha is not entitled to enjoy or participate in the Trust's income or activities.
Mamun further stated that the Trust includes: A 7,042-square-foot flat with parking in Baridhara President Park, a 2,071-square-foot flat at 4/B, Road 96, Gulshan, a 1,060-square-foot shop in Al Nahiyan Trust’s UAE Maitree Shopping Complex, Banani, ‘Palli Nibash’ in Rangpur, ‘Pallibandhu Cold Storage’ in Mithapukur, Rangpur, Fixed bank deposits, savings, shares worth Tk15 crore , Five cars.
The remaining assets were given by the former president to his wife, Raushan Ershad, and his elder son, Rahgir Al Mahi Ershad Shad.
Mamun said: "Since August 14, 2022, we have not withdrawn any funds from Ershad’s bank accounts. Approximately Tk3 crore has been added to the principal amount in two bank accounts so far."