Dhaka, Sept 6 (V7N): Former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud has reportedly left Bangladesh for Belgium just before a travel ban was imposed on several ministers, including himself, according to claims by a Chittagong-based media outlet and a national TV channel.

Hasan Mahmud, who previously served as the general secretary of the Belgium chapter of the Awami League from 1995 to 2001, confirmed to C-Plus TV and Chatga News on August 31 that he is currently abroad. His brother also resides in Belgium.

Alamgir Apu, editor-in-chief of C-Plus TV and Chatga News, stated that he received a phone call from Hasan Mahmud at 10:27 PM on August 31, during which the former minister confirmed that he is outside Bangladesh. Independent Television also reported that Hasan is staying in Belgium with his family and has been in contact with his close friends in Dhaka and Chittagong.

It has been reported that Hasan did not fly directly to Belgium from Dhaka but traveled through Germany. He flew to Düsseldorf via Dubai on August 26 and was later driven to Belgium by Mubarak Ali Bhuiyan Bakul, the General Secretary of the German branch of the Awami League.

On September 2, a Dhaka court issued a travel ban on 26 individuals, including 18 former ministers and state ministers, due to corruption allegations. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has also frozen the bank accounts of Hasan Mahmud and his family members.

Rumors previously circulated that Hasan was detained at Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport on August 6, though these reports remain unconfirmed. Hasan Mahmud is also facing several cases following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.

END/MSS/