Former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed has been arrested in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on corruption charges pending against him in Bangladesh.
Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the information in a statement made before Jatiya Sangsad as a matter of public interest under rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament on Sunday
He told the parliament that the government received official electronic notification of the arrest from the UAE authorities on June 12.
The government expects to bring him back to Bangladesh as quickly as possible through close coordination with the Gulf country, the minister said.
Additional inspector general of police for crime and operations Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said that Benazir was arrested by the Dubai police with the help of the Interpol.
‘The Interpol informed the Bangladesh police about the arrest on June 12 and told us to follow diplomatic channel for his extradition,’ Rafiqul said.
He also said that the police headquarters sent a letter to the Interpol on February 12, 2025 seeking help to arrest Benazir.
The home minister told the parliament that following the government’s assumption of office, the Bangladesh Police worked via the Interpol’s official liaison office of the Interpol, the National Central Bureau Dhaka, to coordinate with it.
The official notification of the arrest was transmitted to Bangladesh by the Directorate General of Federal Criminal Police at the National Central Bureau in Abu Dhabi, confirming that Benazir was currently held in the UAE custody.
The UAE authorities have notified Bangladesh that a formal extradition request, alongside all supporting legal documentation, must be submitted through diplomatic channels within 30 days of the date of arrest, the minister told the parliament.
The Anti-Corruption Commission is currently compiling the necessary legal documents, warrants, and investigative records to support the process. Simultaneously, the home ministry is finalising the formal extradition proposal for swift diplomatic transmission to the UAE, he said.
The home minister stated that the NCB Dhaka had completed all necessary procedures, including securing the Interpol Red Notice, maintaining international coordination, liaising with foreign authorities, and conducting follow-up actions after the detention.
On April 11, 2025, the Interpol issued a red notice against Benazir following the request made by the Bangladesh police in February.
Interpol requested the UAE Ministry of Interior to locate and detain the fugitive former police chief.
Benazir and the family reportedly left the country on May 4, 2024 amid allegations of acquiring illegal wealth and money laundering.
Benazir joined the police force as an assistant superintendent of police in February 1988, and retired on September 30, 2022.
On December 10, 2021, the United States declared the then IGP Benazir ineligible for entry to the country for ‘gross violations of human rights’ while serving as the Rapid Action Battalion director general.
According to police headquarters officials, Benazir is facing 17 cases on various criminal charges, including murders related to the 2024 July mass uprising that ousted the Awami League-led government.
Benazir, a loyal to the AL government, also served as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner from October, 2010 to December, 2014.
Benazir is being tried in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on charges of crimes against humanity for enforced disappearances of 13 people, reportedly took place during his tenure as the RAB director general.
Benazir is among 17 accused in the case. Other accused include deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her former security adviser retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, two former RAB director generals and 11 serving army officers.
He is facing trial over allegations of enforced disappearances and torture at a secret detention facility inside the RAB headquarters in Dhaka.
ICT prosecutor Shyikh Mahdi told New Age that the Investigation Agency was also investigating several other cases against Benazir.
Banazir is also wanted in another case of crimes against humanity over killings of 58 people, including 32 in Dhaka killed in the Shapla Chattar crackdown in May 5-6, 2013. He is among several high-profile police officers named in the case which is now under investigation by the Investigation Agency of the tribunal.
Benazir also faces at least six cases filed the Anti-Corruption Commission and charge sheet has been filed in one case on charge of accumulating illegal wealth and five cases are now under investigation, said commission officials.
