Globaltel Chairman, MD get 12-year in Jail

A Dhaka court has sentenced Apple Globaltel Communications Ltd Chairman Mohiuddin Mazumder and Managing Director Abhiur Rahman Khan to 12 years in prison each and fined them Tk 926.74 crore in a money laundering case involving Tk 463.37 crore.

Judge Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka Special Judge Court-5 delivered the verdict on Monday.

ACC prosecutor Mohammad Zahirul Islam said the court sentenced the duo to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment each for money laundering and 10 years for criminal breach of trust. They were also fined Tk 10 lakh each for the offence.

As the sentences will run concurrently, they will serve 12 years in prison. They will face additional jail terms for failing to pay the fines. The court also ordered the confiscation of their movable and immovable assets in favour of the state if they fail to pay the Tk 926.74 crore fine.

The accused were absent from court, prompting the judge to issue arrest warrants against them.

The ACC filed the case on February 23, 2022, accusing the company of laundering US$60.18 million through international incoming calls. An investigation officer submitted the charge sheet against the two accused on March 25 last year.

The court framed charges on August 6 and recorded testimony from seven of the eight prosecution witnesses during the trial.