The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has seized luxury properties worth nearly £90 million (approximately 1,500 crore Bangladeshi Taka) in London, reportedly owned by two close associates of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to a report by The Guardian published Friday, May 23.
A British court has issued a freezing order against Ahmed Shayan Rahman and his cousin Ahmed Shahriar Rahman, preventing them from selling the properties. Among the seized assets is a high-end apartment in London’s prestigious Grosvenor Square. Both individuals are known to be closely linked to Sheikh Hasina.
A joint investigation by The Guardian and Transparency International revealed that associates of Hasina collectively own approximately £400 million worth of assets in the UK. So far, nine properties have been frozen. These were purchased through offshore companies registered in tax havens such as the British Virgin Islands, Isle of Man, and Jersey. The value of individual properties ranges from £1.2 million to £35.5 million.
Ahmed Shayan Rahman is the son, and Ahmed Shahriar Rahman the nephew, of Salman F Rahman—a billionaire businessman and former adviser on private industry and investment to Sheikh Hasina. Salman Rahman was reportedly arrested while attempting to flee the country during the student-led uprising that led to Hasina’s fall from power last year. He is currently facing corruption charges.
According to the NCA, this asset freeze is part of an ongoing civil investigation, and further seizures may follow.
One of the frozen properties includes a residence in London’s Gresham Gardens, previously inhabited by Sheikh Rehana—Sheikh Hasina’s sister and the mother of former British MP Tulip Siddiq. The house is valued at £7.7 million.
Tulip Siddiq, who recently stepped down as the UK’s City Minister, is also reportedly under a warrant issued by Bangladesh’s interim government. She has denied all allegations.
Duncan Hames, Director of Policy at Transparency International UK, stated, “We call on UK law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in freezing all suspicious assets connected to this case.”
The Guardian has contacted legal representatives of the Rahman family and Beximco, the business conglomerate founded by Salman Rahman, for comment.
A spokesperson for Ahmed Shayan Rahman previously told the Financial Times that their client “strongly denies any wrongdoing” and “intends to fully cooperate with any investigation in the UK.”
They added, “The political situation in Bangladesh is currently unstable, with hundreds facing accusations. We trust UK authorities will take these conditions into account during their proceedings.”
