Interim Government Dropped Trialed Cases Against Tarique Rahman Illegally, Says Former FBI Investigator Debra LaPrevotte

Washington, D.C. – June 15, 2025 — Former FBI international corruption investigator Debra LaPrevotte has sharply condemned Bangladesh’s interim government for what she calls the “illegal withdrawal of trialed and convicted cases” against BNP leader Tarique Rahman.LaPrevotte, who played a key role in exposing international money laundering linked to Rahman and his associate Gias Uddin Al Mamoon, stated in a public post:“There is NO RULE OF LAW in Bangladesh. In 2011, I testified in Dhaka against Tarique Rahman and his business associate, Gias Uddin al Mamoon. Tarique and Mamoon facilitated bribes and allegedly led a shadow government while his mother, Khaleda Zia, was prime minister.”She emphasized that both Rahman and Mamoon were convicted in a court of law, and that Rahman was sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption and money laundering. Despite the conviction, Rahman has been living in London for over a decade, shielded from extradition by the lack of a treaty between the UK and Bangladesh.Reacting to the recent decision by the interim administration to withdraw these long-standing criminal cases, LaPrevotte warned:“He may very well be the next Prime Minister if the BNP party wins the next election. If this is their path forward, there is no chance to fight corruption.”Legal analysts in Bangladesh say the government’s move raises serious concerns about judicial integrity and political compromise. Meanwhile, civil society voices are questioning how a convicted fugitive could be cleared without any retrial or due legal process.The interim government has not yet responded to LaPrevotte’s comments or clarified the legal grounds for dropping the cases.