BFIU chief sent on compulsory leave amid investigation

The Bangladesh Bank has sent AFM Shahinul Islam, chief of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), on compulsory leave after several of his controversial videos surfaced and went viral on social media.

An official of the central bank told the media on Tuesday, “The BFIU chief will remain on leave until the investigation is completed. Further steps will be taken once the report is submitted.”

The move came after a group of central bank officials submitted a memorandum earlier in the day, urging the governor to place the BFIU head on compulsory leave without any delay.

BFIU, the central bank’s specialised agency, is responsible for investigating suspicious financial transactions, money laundering, and terror financing.

It said the investigation against its chief marks a significant development at a time when scrutiny of irregularities in the financial sector is intensifying.

Shahinul Islam took charge as BFIU chief on 12 January this year. He previously served as the unit’s deputy head and as an executive director of Bangladesh Bank.