Bangladesh writes to Interpol again to locate Benazir Ahmed

Bangladesh Police has sent an email to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) seeking the current whereabouts of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed .

Multiple police sources confirmed that the letter was sent from the National Central Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday.

On June 12, Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates had informed that they had arrested the former police chief. Nearly four months have passed, but he has yet to be brought back to the country.

When contacted on Thursday evening (September 3), Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khandkar Rafiqul Islam said, "We sent a letter through the NCB on Wednesday to ascertain the location of the former IGP. The next course of action will be decided after receiving a response to the letter."

Asked about the context of sending another letter, Rafiqul Islam said, "Some are saying that the former IGP has left Dubai. So, we have sought to verify the matter."

In June, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed had informed parliament under Rule 300 about Benazir Ahmed's arrest in Dubai. He said diplomatic channels were being used to bring him back to Bangladesh swiftly.

The Home Minister had described it as a historic success for Bangladesh Police. "Through this, we will be able to move away from the culture of impunity. I want to assure the nation that no criminal, however powerful, is above the law. This will be a milestone in establishing the rule of law in Bangladesh," he said.

Following Benazir's arrest, Dubai Police had written to Bangladesh requesting documents. Under Dubai's law, such documents must be sent within 30 working days. Subsequently, the NCB, which coordinates with the Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Interpol, finalised the next steps and sent the documents through diplomatic channels well before the deadline.

Sources indicate that after his release, Benazir Ahmed may have moved to the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia. Questions are now being raised as to whether his repatriation has become stalled.

Multiple police officers with experience in the NCB told Samakal that Bangladesh has extradition treaties with three countries: India, Thailand and South Africa. There is no such treaty with the UAE. Even without an extradition treaty, there are precedents of bringing back accused or convicts from the UAE at various times through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA).

Lawyers say bringing back the former top police official depends on four key factors: gathering sufficient evidence of the crimes, compatibility of laws between the two countries, presentation of evidence in court, and diplomatic efforts.

The ACC has so far filed six cases against Benazir Ahmed, including for acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income and passport forgery. Additionally, an investigation is ongoing at the International Crimes Tribunal over allegations of crimes against humanity. Interpol was requested to issue a Red Notice against the former IGP in the cases of illicit wealth and passport forgery, leading to his arrest in Dubai .