Advisor Asif’s APS and Coordinator Moazzem Barred from Leaving Country

Staff Correspondent

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has imposed a travel ban on Moazzem Hossain, former APS to Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and central coordinator, while also blocking his National ID (NID).

The decision was confirmed by ACC sources on Saturday, May 24.

The ACC stated that during his tenure as APS, Moazzem Hossain allegedly amassed hundreds of crores of taka through abuse of power, influence peddling, tender manipulation, and other irregularities. After interrogating him, the commission imposed the travel ban and NID block for further verification.

Earlier, on Thursday, May 22, an ACC team led by Deputy Assistant Director Minu Akter Sumi questioned Moazzem from 11:30 AM to nearly 1:00 PM.

Last year, Moazzem served as the central coordinator of an anti-government movement. Later, when Dr. Yunus’s interim government appointed Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan as an advisor, Moazzem was made his APS. Since then, multiple corruption allegations surfaced against him.

Several businesspersons alleged that contractors could not secure any work from Advisor Asif’s office without dealing through Moazzem. Facing pressure, Moazzem resigned on April 22.

On April 25, Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib himself told the media that he had requested the ACC to investigate the allegations against his former APS.

Further allegations claim Moazzem, as the advisor’s APS, “amassed hundreds of crores through influence peddling and tender manipulation by abusing power.”

However, after interrogation, Moazzem told reporters, “The allegations against me are completely baseless. A certain group is spreading falsehoods targeting students.”

He added, “I appeared before the ACC after receiving their notice. Some media reports about my resignation were incorrect. I resigned on March 25 to prepare for the BCS viva, and my resignation was accepted accordingly. However, there were errors in the Public Administration Ministry’s notification. The corruption allegations emerged after my resignation.”