A Bangladesh court on Sunday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to request Interpol to issue red notices against former Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and his wife Rukmila Zaman in connection with a corruption case, local media reported.

Chattogram’s Senior Metropolitan Special Judge Abdur Rahman passed the directive after hearing a petition filed by the ACC. According to ACC lawyer Mokarram Hossain, the court’s order will be forwarded to Interpol through the Home Ministry.

Javed, a senior Awami League leader, served as State Minister for Land (2014–2018) before holding the position of Land Minister (2019–2023). Media reports indicate he and his family departed for London on August 5, 2024, just before the Awami League government fell amid violent student-led protests.

On September 16, the ACC filed a case against Javed, his wife, and 24 others, including senior bank officials and former United Commercial Bank (UCB) directors, over allegations of loan fraud and money laundering worth BDT 21 crore, The Business Standard reported.

The move comes as the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government continues a sweeping crackdown on Awami League leaders. The party has accused the ACC of turning legal proceedings into a “political weapon,” citing multiple cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family.

Analysts view the developments as part of a broader campaign against the Awami League, describing them as politically motivated actions in the aftermath of the party’s ouster in August 2024.