TDS Desk:

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has faced questions over claims that allegations against former advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, including money laundering charges, were lifted from older, “AI-generated” claims doing the rounds online.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, journalists asked ACC Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan whether the commission had preliminary evidence backing the allegations before taking them up for investigation.

The secretary said the commission had moved to the next stage based on information gathered during the inquiry, and that further action would depend on findings from the ongoing probe.

Asked whether the allegations matched “AI-generated” content that had earlier circulated on social media and in the press, he said: “No, a lot of things are being said.”

“You’ll be able to judge for yourselves whether this is made up, or whether we’re working with some agenda of our own.”

The briefing also raised questions about whether there was an initial basis for investigating the allegations against Asif.

Saidur again said the commission had proceeded based on information found during the investigation. It will decide what to do after receiving the investigation report.

Asif has been accused of holding assets abroad and laundering money, prompting a question about whether the ACC would send mutual legal assistance requests, or MLARs, to the countries concerned.

The ACC secretary said the commission would do so if the matter falls within the law.

If an MLAR is required, it will be sent after the allegations are verified, and the ACC will move to the next stage if it finds substance in them, he added.

An MLAR can be used to seek information and legal assistance from foreign authorities for an investigation, including details of bank accounts, assets or transactions.

The ACC is investigating allegations that Asif laundered Tk 110 billion abroad, took money for appointments and postings, and received commissions from development projects and tenders.

The graft buster said on Sunday that the allegations involve Tk 45 billion allegedly laundered to Dubai, Tk 30 billion to Singapore, Tk 20 billion to Australia and Tk 15 billion to Switzerland.

The allegations have yet to be proven.

Several allegations and amounts cited by the ACC against Asif have meanwhile been found to closely match those in an online report circulated about seven months ago.

Multiple reports have also pointed out that the older report contained no verifiable documents or specific sources to support its claims.

Asif has denied the allegations. On Monday, he described the ACC investigation as “a process of retaliation and a media trial”.