Dhaka, June 22 -- BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday voiced serious alarm over the sharp rise in deposits made by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks last year, calling it a stark indicator of rampant looting by corrupt elements and mafias linked to the Awami League.

"I was deeply troubled by newspaper reports highlighting a dramatic increase in funds deposited with Swiss banks by Bangladeshis. It is a glaring reflection of the large-scale plundering orchestrated by a mafia syndicate under fascist rule," he said while speaking at a discussion. The event was organised by the Biplobi Workers Party at Dhaka Reporters' Unity, marking the party's 21st founding anniversary.

Fakhrul admitted he was unsure about who deposited...