Dhaka steps up Benazir extradition
Bangladesh has begun legal and diplomatic efforts to bring back former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following his arrest in Dubai in connection with multiple corruption cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Authorities have launched parallel initiatives involving the ACC, Bangladesh Police, Interpol and several government ministries to complete the extradition process within the timeframe stipulated under UAE law.
Bangladesh was officially informed of Benazir’s arrest through a letter issued on Friday, after which steps were accelerated to secure his return.
The ACC has initiated the necessary legal procedures to facilitate Benazir’s repatriation and has translated case-related documents into English and Arabic for submission to the relevant authorities through the National Central Bureau (NCB) Bangladesh.
ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam confirmed the development on Tuesday.
According to ACC sources, two NCB Bangladesh representatives visited the ACC headquarters on Tuesday to discuss the progress of the cases against Benazir, court-issued arrest warrants and the required legal documentation.
ACC officials said information and evidence relating to corruption and illicit wealth accumulation cases against Benazir, along with court orders and other supporting documents, have been handed over to the NCB.
The documents will be sent to the UAE authorities through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A senior ACC official said international cooperation had been sought to execute the arrest warrants issued by the courts.
Efforts to bring Benazir back to Bangladesh are continuing through existing extradition mechanisms and international legal assistance frameworks, while coordination among relevant agencies remains ongoing.
The ACC launched its investigation in March last year after allegations surfaced regarding substantial movable and immovable assets allegedly owned by Benazir and his family members. Investigators later found preliminary evidence of acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income, concealing asset information and other corruption-related offences, leading to multiple cases against him.
Courts subsequently issued arrest warrants and ordered the seizure and freezing of numerous assets belonging to Benazir and his family, including land, apartments, shares, bank accounts and other properties.
The ACC said that if international cooperation is secured, Benazir can be brought back to Bangladesh, allowing judicial proceedings in the pending cases to move forward.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police have formally informed Interpol that the country has initiated the legal process required for Benazir’s extradition.
According to police sources, the NCB of Bangladesh Police sent an official letter to Interpol on Monday stating that Bangladesh would submit a formal extradition request through diplomatic channels after completing the necessary legal procedures.
The communication marked Bangladesh’s first official contact with Interpol since the former police chief, who was the subject of a Red Notice, was arrested in the UAE.
A senior official familiar with the matter said Bangladesh intends to complete the entire extradition process before the deadline set under UAE law, which requires an extradition request to be submitted within 30 working days of arrest.
Police officials said Interpol’s role is limited to notifying member states after a Red Notice subject is arrested, while custody and legal proceedings remain under the jurisdiction of the country where the arrest occurs.
Although Bangladesh does not have a prisoner exchange treaty with the UAE, officials said extradition remains possible through bilateral relations and mutual legal assistance mechanisms. Several fugitives have previously been repatriated from the UAE despite the absence of a formal treaty.
Sources said Benazir has already appointed legal counsel in the UAE and initiated legal proceedings in an effort to prevent his return.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed earlier told parliament that an official extradition request would be submitted through diplomatic channels in accordance with UAE law.
Calling the arrest a “historic success” for Bangladesh Police, he said: “No one is above the law, regardless of how powerful they are. This will be a milestone in establishing the rule of law and ending the culture of impunity in Bangladesh.”
