Former Bangladesh Police Chief Benazir Ahmed Arrested at Dubai Mall
Ex-IGP Benazir Ahmed was arrested at a Dubai shopping mall on 12 June. Bangladesh has 30 days to file a formal extradition request.
Former Bangladesh police chief detained at Dubai shopping mall
Former Bangladesh Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed was arrested at a shopping mall in Dubai on 12 June, Google News UAE — Dubai reports, citing Prothom Alo. The United Arab Emirates government subsequently notified Bangladesh of the arrest by email.
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in a statement delivered under Rule 300 in Parliament on Sunday. He said Bangladesh must submit a formal extradition request within 30 days of the arrest to secure Benazir's return.
Former associates reportedly instrumental in arrest
According to a Dubai-based source cited by Prothom Alo, Benazir Ahmed was identified and handed over to authorities by some of his former business associates. The same source claims disputes had emerged between Benazir and several of those individuals, primarily over business dealings and financial transactions.
Individuals involved in facilitating the arrest reportedly used the Interpol Red Notice issued against Benazir, as well as United States sanctions previously imposed on him, to persuade Dubai Police to take action.
Benazir arrived in Dubai approximately two weeks before his arrest, according to the source. His presence allegedly prompted those with whom he had business disputes to draw the attention of Dubai authorities to the outstanding Interpol notice.
Neither the UAE Ministry of Interior, Dubai Police nor Bangladeshi police authorities have issued any official statement regarding the circumstances of the arrest. Prothom Alo emailed both the UAE Ministry of Interior and Dubai Police on Monday seeking comment; no response had been received by the time the report was filed.
The UAE-based newspaper Khaleej Times and Arab News both reported the arrest, each citing news agency AFP.
Investments in real estate and gold alleged
The Dubai-based source claims Benazir holds investments in the emirate's real-estate sector and in the gold trade. The source further alleged that Benazir transferred funds from Bangladesh into Dubai's property and gold sectors while still serving in the police force.
Investing such funds in Dubai, the source noted, typically requires assistance from local partners or Bangladeshis with existing business interests in the emirate — a dynamic that may have contributed to the reported falling-out with former associates.
Extradition request forwarded to Home Affairs
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has finalised its documentation to seek Benazir's return to Bangladesh. A formal request was completed on Tuesday and forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
ACC Deputy Director Md Hafizul Islam, who is involved in the investigation, confirmed to Prothom Alo that the document had already been sent to the ministry.
According to an investigation-related source, the request contains evidence relating to multiple allegations against Benazir, including corruption, illicit wealth accumulation, money laundering and passport fraud. The document will be processed by the Ministry of Home Affairs before being transmitted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UAE government via diplomatic channels.
ACC officials said Benazir currently faces six corruption and fraud cases. A charge sheet has already been filed in one case involving the alleged acquisition of wealth beyond known sources of income.
Background: career, sanctions and flight from Bangladesh
Benazir Ahmed left Bangladesh with his family on 4 May 2024 after coming under investigation for alleged corruption. An Interpol Red Notice was subsequently issued against him.
During the tenure of the Awami League government, which was removed from power in the July mass uprising, Benazir served as Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) from 2010 to 2015 and later as Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from 2015 to 2020. He was appointed Inspector General of Police in April 2020 and held the post until September 2022.
On 10 December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven serving and former officials over allegations of serious human rights abuses. Benazir, who was serving as IGP at the time, was among those sanctioned.
Following his retirement in 2022, he was not appointed to any further significant public position. Benazir hails from Tungipara in Gopalganj district and was widely regarded as being close to the then-ruling Awami League.
Red Notice alone unlikely to explain arrest, official says
The Interpol website currently lists 59 Bangladeshi nationals under Red Notices, including alleged top terrorists, murder suspects and fugitives wanted in the assassination case of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Law-enforcement officials note that although Red Notices facilitate international cooperation, relatively few Bangladeshi fugitives have been arrested and returned solely on that basis.
A senior Bangladesh police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo on Tuesday night that the Red Notice alone was unlikely to account for the arrest. "My assumption is that someone played a role behind the scenes," the official said.
Source: Google News UAE — Dubai