Benazir Ahmed's arrest is a historic success for police: Home Minister
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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has confirmed the news that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has been arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He has simultaneously described this as a historic success for the police.
Today, Sunday, the Home Minister informed Parliament of this during a statement under Rule 300.
The Home Minister said, "This is a historic success for the Bangladesh Police. Through this, we will be able to emerge from a culture of impunity. Furthermore, through this we want to assure the nation that no matter how powerful the criminal may be, no one is above the law. This will serve as a milestone in establishing the rule of law in the country and in the history of Bangladesh."
The Home Minister also said that Benazir Ahmed was arrested on June 12th. He stated that he will be brought back to the country soon.
The Home Minister informed that a Red Notice had been issued against Benazir Ahmed through Interpol. Through that Red Notice, Interpol requested the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates to make the arrest.
The Minister also said that on June 12th, the UAE Ministry of Interior's Directorate General of Federal Criminal Police (National Central Bureau - NCB) in Abu Dhabi notified the Bangladesh government of the arrest via an email.
The Home Minister further stated that within 30 days of the arrest date, a formal extradition request must be sent through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Home Affairs will prepare and approve the extradition proposal, and a formal extradition request will be sent to the UAE authorities through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The NCB (a branch of Police Headquarters that liaises with Interpol) will coordinate with the authorities in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.
The Minister also said that Benazir Ahmed will be brought back to Bangladesh very soon.
Benazir Ahmed served as IGP from April 15, 2020, to September 30, 2022. Before that, he also served as the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Director General of RAB. In December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on seven RAB officials over allegations of human rights violations. Benazir Ahmed's name was among them.
A few months before the Awami League was ousted from power in the 2024 student-led uprising, allegations of corruption surfaced against Benazir Ahmed, prompting the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to launch an investigation. He had left the country by then. Subsequently, multiple cases were filed against him. There are also arrest warrants issued by the court against him.