The government has officially initiated the process to bring back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed to the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Police have jointly determined the next course of action.
Multiple government sources state that to bring him back, an extradition proposal will first be prepared and approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Subsequently, the proposal will be sent through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates. In this process, the ACC will prepare all necessary documents, including case files, arrest warrants, and investigation-related papers.
According to Dubai law, an extradition request must be submitted within 30 working days of an arrest. Bangladesh will need to complete the necessary formalities within this timeframe.
Previously, the Home Minister informed the Parliament that an extradition proposal would be sent through diplomatic channels as per the laws of the United Arab Emirates, and initiatives are being taken to swiftly bring him back to the country. He added that judicial proceedings are ongoing against Benazir Ahmed in multiple cases, including those related to corruption.
Police Headquarters sources indicate that over the past year, Bangladesh has requested Interpol to issue Red Notices against at least 25 individuals. These include former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, members of her family, former ministers, advisors, businessmen, and other absconding defendants in various cases.
Akhtarul Islam, Public Relations Officer of the ACC, stated that after his arrest with Interpol’s cooperation, the legal process to bring him back to the country will be completed. However, no decision has yet been made regarding whether he will be handed over to the ACC.
It is noteworthy that Benazir Ahmed served as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh from April 15, 2020, to September 30, 2022. Prior to that, he was the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
In December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on several RAB officials for alleged human rights violations, and then-IGP Benazir Ahmed was among them.
