A Queensland man is accused of bribing Bangladeshi officials to remove his name from police records as detectives investigate his estranged wife's suspected murder.
Awlad Hossain, 51, has been charged with bribing a foreign public official, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. Mr Hossain has not yet appeared before court.
The ABC revealed last April that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) was investigating the suspected murder of Mr Hossain's estranged wife, Rehana Parvin, an Australian citizen and mother of five, whose body was found in a small village in Bangladesh in September 2024.
Bangladeshi police have issued an arrest warrant for Mr Hossain over her death, but he has not been charged in relation to it, in either Bangladesh or Australia.
AFP officers arrested Mr Hossain on Tuesday and executed search warrants at homes in Goodna and Redbank Plains, where they seized an electronic device.
Investigators also searched financial institutions in Sydney and Brisbane, seizing international funds transfer and bank records.
The ABC understands the AFP will allege that between September 2024 and September 2026, Mr Hossain conspired with people in Bangladesh to influence the Bangladeshi investigation, arranging the transfer of about $90,000 so it could be used to bribe public officials, including to have his name struck from police records.
This is the first time the AFP has put an allegation of foreign bribery of a public official for personal advantage before the court.
Advice provided by Bangladeshi authorities to the AFP suggested the cause of Ms Parvin's death was suspicious. Separate Bangladesh and Australian Federal Police investigations remain ongoing.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay said any attempt to investigative processes, whether in Australia or overseas, was a serious criminal matter.
"The AFP takes allegations of bribery and corruption seriously, particularly where the alleged conduct is intended to influence the outcome of a serious criminal investigation," Commander Jay said.
"Anyone who attempts to buy influence or interfere with the administration of justice should expect to be held accountable.
"We will continue to work closely with our domestic and international partners regarding this investigation."