Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday expressed hope that the government of the United Arab Emirates would soon arrange the return of former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed to Bangladesh through due legal process.
The minister made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Bangladesh Secretariat to honour police personnel for outstanding contributions to law enforcement.
Asked whether it would be easy to bring Benazir back from Dubai, Salahuddin said that the UAE Federal Police had informed Bangladesh’s National Central Bureau (NCB) through Interpol on 12 June that Benazir had been arrested on the basis of a Red Notice issued at Bangladesh’s request.
‘I informed Parliament of the development the same day. In the email, they requested that all necessary documents be sent within 30 days to facilitate his return to Bangladesh,’ he said.
The minister said Bangladesh sent the required documents the following day without waiting for the deadline. The documents included the arrest warrant, case details and supporting papers, which were translated into Arabic before being sent through diplomatic channels.
Salahuddin said police officials worked until 9:00 pm to prepare a 144-page document package and that he signed the papers later that night. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently forwarded the documents to the UAE authorities and informed the local UAE embassy.
‘We hope the UAE government will follow the proper legal process and arrange for Benazir Ahmed’s return very soon. We will continue our efforts to persuade them,’ he said.
Asked whether the NCB had received any response from the UAE authorities, the minister said no reply had yet been received.
‘Their laws provide a specific procedure for repatriation. Friday and Saturday are holidays there. We will officially follow up on Sunday,’ he added.
Responding to a question about the legal basis for the repatriation, Salahuddin said both countries were signatories to relevant UN provisions and also had a Mutual Legal Assistance Request agreement.
Former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai on 12 June. He left Dhaka on 4 May 2024, with his wife and daughters.
Several cases, including six corruption cases, have been filed against him.
