British High Commissioner in Dhaka, Sarah Cook, said that the issue of returning money seized in Britain is a legal process. It requires very strong evidence to be completed through the legal system.This is not something that can happen overnight. The seized money will have to be returned through legal processes.
He made the remarks at a function organized at the VIP lounge of the National Press Club on Tuesday (April 28). He participated in the ‘Dicab Talk’ organized by the ‘Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).’
Responding to a question from journalists, British High Commissioner Sarah Cook said that since June 2025, the UK has frozen more than £250 million in assets belonging to Bangladeshi individuals. She noted that this is a reflection of the UK’s strong commitment to maintaining the integrity of the international financial system and the rule of law.However, legal action will have to be taken to return this money.
He said that the UK will host an ‘Illicit Finance Summit’ in London this summer to help combat such financial crimes, to which the Finance Minister of Bangladesh has been invited.
Responding to a question about the differences between the government and the opposition over the implementation of the ‘July Charter’, the British High Commissioner said, “This needs to be resolved through discussion in the National Parliament. This is not a matter for the international community.”
Asked whether he would provide any assistance in bringing back those who took refuge in the UK after the July uprising, he said the UK does not disclose the personal information of any citizen.