The Anti-Corruption Commission is currently investigating a complaint against a former Jamaat leader who allegedly embezzled around Tk1.4 crore from 28 Bangladeshi expatriates living in Saudi Arabia.
Sirtaz Ahmed, a former rukon of Jamaat’s Saudi Arabia unit, is now living in Bangladesh and is reportedly active with the ruling Awami League in Sunamganj.
According to a complaint lodged with the ACC in September, Sirtaz collected Tk5 lakh from each of the 28 Bangladeshis two years ago with promises of double profits.
Soon after, Sirtaz came to Bangladesh and used the money to form a cooperative – Dynamic Mission Limited – registered under Bangladesh Joint Stock Company. He made himself the chairman of the cooperative and appointed several of his friends as directors.
When the victims of the embezzlement came to Bangladesh on vacation and asked for their promised profits, Sirtaz allegedly threatened them, saying he would use his influence to ensure that the expatriates are detained by immigration police and stopped from returning to Saudi Arabia.
According to the complaint, Sirtaz maintains the bank account of Dynamic Mission Limited with the Sunamganj branch of Islami Bank Limited.
Recently, Sirtaz reportedly took out a loan from that account, using the money to buy cars for a rent-a-car business and to invest in other business ventures.
Seeking anonymity, an ACC official said: “The commission has already summoned documents from the bank and the Dynamic Mission office in Sunamganj. After reviewing those, we will summon Sirtaz for questioning.”
