Dubai Police Agree in Principle to Hand Over Former Bangladesh Police Chief Benazir Ahmed

Dubai Police have given in-principle consent to send former Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bangladesh Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh, but have sought clarification from the Bangladesh government on four issues related to the legal process of his handover through Interpol.

Officials concerned described the development as a positive step. They said Dubai Police are now seeking detailed information about the legal and technical procedures required for the extradition.

The letter from Dubai Police reached Bangladesh five days ago, according to multiple sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC is currently preparing a response in coordination with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs and with the assistance of the Interpol desk at the Police Headquarters.

ACC Deputy Director Hafizul Islam is coordinating the documents related to the investigation and extradition proceedings against Benazir Ahmed. Speaking on Sunday evening, he said, “We started preparing the necessary documents immediately after receiving the letter from Dubai Police. We hope to send the response soon and succeed in bringing him back to Bangladesh.”

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed first informed Parliament on June 14 that Benazir Ahmed had been arrested by Dubai Police. He said Bangladesh had been informed on June 12 through an email sent by the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abu Dhabi, under the UAE Ministry of Interior, that Benazir Ahmed, who is accused in corruption cases, had been detained in Dubai.

Following this, the Bangladesh government formally sought his extradition through Interpol. A nearly 144-page dossier prepared by the ACC was translated into Arabic and sent to Dubai through diplomatic channels. The documents included arrest warrants issued against him in Bangladesh, details of the cases and other documents required for the extradition process.

Dubai Police responded to the request nearly a month later. Benazir Ahmed is currently being held in a Dubai prison.

According to a senior official at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dubai Police have sought clarification on four key issues. The most important question concerns the law and procedure under which Bangladesh intends to bring Benazir Ahmed back, as Bangladesh and the UAE do not have a bilateral extradition treaty.

Dubai authorities have also sought clarification on the international legal basis of the arrest warrant issued by a Bangladeshi court, the extent of its legal validity and why the Ministry of Home Affairs, rather than the Ministry of Law, is coordinating the extradition process.

Officials said such questions are a normal part of international extradition proceedings. They said the necessary legal explanations and documents would be prepared and sent to Dubai shortly. According to them, the language of the Dubai Police letter indicates that the authorities are positively considering handing Benazir Ahmed over to Bangladesh.

During the Awami League government, which was ousted in the July mass uprising, Benazir Ahmed served as commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and later inspector general of police.

On December 10, 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on him over allegations of serious human rights violations. In 2024, the ACC launched an investigation into allegations of illegal accumulation of wealth, corruption and money laundering against him. Later, following court orders, substantial assets belonging to him and his family members were seized.

During the investigation, it was revealed that he had left Bangladesh with his wife and children on May 4, 2024.

Several cases were subsequently filed against Benazir Ahmed, and courts issued arrest warrants against him. On April 22, 2025, Interpol issued a Red Notice against him following a request from the ACC.

According to ACC data, Benazir Ahmed currently faces six cases involving corruption, acquisition of assets beyond known sources of income, money laundering and forgery, among other charges. Testimony is underway in one of the cases.

For a long time after leaving Bangladesh, there was no confirmed information about his whereabouts. Law enforcement agencies and other relevant authorities also lacked reliable information about his location.

A source familiar with the matter said information provided by several of Benazir Ahmed’s former associates played an important role in his arrest in Dubai. The individuals reportedly provided information to Dubai Police following disputes over business and financial transactions.

He was reportedly detained at a shopping mall in Dubai. Dubai Police also took into consideration Interpol’s Red Notice against him and the sanctions imposed by the United States.