Dhaka:The government of Bangladesh is actively pursuing legal, diplomatic, and international police cooperation to bring former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh to face trial, as stated by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed in Parliament.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Home Minister informed the Jatiya Sangsad that an arrest warrant against Benazir Ahmed was issued by a competent court in Bangladesh, prompting the government to initiate steps to issue an Interpol Red Notice against him, which was issued on April 11, 2025.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially notified the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police on June 12, 2026, that Benazir Ahmed had been arrested in the country. UAE authorities requested Bangladesh to submit a formal extradition request within 30 days under their relevant laws. Bangladesh promptly sent the extradition request via diplomatic channels on June 16, four days after receiving the notification, and also forwarded the request to the relevant NCB for coordination.
Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that extradition is a judicial and state-level process, noting that neither the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice nor the arrest automatically ensures extradition. The receiving country's central authorities and courts review extradition requests based on domestic laws, offense nature, arrest warrants, evidence, and other legal requirements.
He clarified that the release of the individual on bail does not mark the end of the extradition process and that the necessity to complete judicial and legal procedures should not be seen as government inaction or failure.
Regarding the assets held abroad by Benazir Ahmed and his family, the Home Minister mentioned that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had sent Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs) to relevant countries. The government plans to take further legal actions to freeze, seize, confiscate, or recover these assets once the necessary documentation and evidence are obtained.
Salahuddin Ahmed assured that the government submitted the extradition request within the required timeframe, provided additional documents requested by the UAE authorities, and appointed local lawyers to pursue the matter. The government continues to monitor Benazir Ahmed's whereabouts and maintains coordination with the relevant authorities.
Reaffirming the government's stance, Salahuddin stated that efforts to bring Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh would be based on verified information, respecting the rule of law and the sovereignty and domestic laws of the concerned country. The government was directed to inform Parliament about the steps taken following a resolution during the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, and the Home Minister briefed Parliament on these efforts today.