Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal has said any laxity in preventing money laundering abroad, whether involving government officials or weaknesses in the government’s legal representation in court, will be dealt with firmly.
“Those involved in siphoning off the country’s money abroad are exploiting the state system. If there is any laxity on the part of our office or the Supreme Court in dealing with them, we will address it firmly,” he said.
The attorney general made the remarks on Friday at the opening of a two-day workshop on “Strengthening Principles and Practices of Prosecutorial Ethics for Law Officers of the Attorney General’s Office” at a hotel in Dhaka.
He said the authorities were aware of instances of officials’ collusion and weaknesses in court proceedings.
“No dishonest group, corruption ring or unethical syndicate will be allowed to establish itself within any state institution,” Kazal said.
He also warned against attempts to undermine or manipulate court proceedings or influence the conduct of state cases for corrupt purposes.
“Such activities will not be tolerated. Criminal and administrative action will be taken when necessary,” he said.
The attorney general said credible allegations had been received against one or two law officers and that effective action had already been taken in several cases following reviews.
Referring to an earlier incident in which an employee of his office was handed over to police, Kazal said the move had sent a firm and clear message to the entire judicial system.
“There will be no scope for bribery, corruption or irregularities of any kind at the Attorney General’s Office,” he said.
‘Note trading’ allegations
Referring to past allegations of “note trading” at the Attorney General’s Office, Kazal said he believed the office had largely overcome the practice since he assumed office, particularly after law officers joined the office on 31 July.
He said attempts to influence court orders or judgments through so-called note trading, corruption in sections of the office or any kind of syndicate would not be tolerated.
“Nor will attempts to influence law officers in any manner be tolerated,” he said.
Law officers’ responsibilities
The attorney general said the responsibilities of state law officers went beyond conducting cases or securing victories for the state.
“Ensuring justice by providing the highest possible assistance to the court is also one of their principal responsibilities,” he said.
A total of 160 law officers from the Attorney General’s Office are taking part in the workshop.
According to the organisers, the programme aims to strengthen law officers’ commitment to professional integrity, independence, human rights and the rule of law.
The workshop has been organised by the South Asia Regional Office of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from UNDP Bangladesh.
Sessions at the workshop cover law officers’ ethics, legal safeguards relating to arrest and remand, the reliability of evidence, protection of victims and witnesses, and police-prosecution coordination.
Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Sara Hossain, Thai prosecutor Waranthorn Wanichthaowarn and Maldivian prosecutor Mariyam Simha Musthafa Rashid are among the trainers and experts on the panel.
