Government hires Dubai law firm to get Benazir's bail cancelled: Home Minister

The Bangladesh government has taken steps to cancel the bail of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed in the United Arab Emirates. A law firm has been hired in Dubai for this purpose, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after an exchange meeting with officials and members of Rajshahi Range and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police at Rajshahi Police Lines on Sunday (August 2) afternoon.

The Home Minister said the government has learnt that Benazir Ahmed has been granted conditional bail by a Dubai court. The Bangladesh Ambassador in Dubai has been contacted, and efforts are underway to obtain a certified copy of the bail order.

"We are trying to get a certified copy of the bail order. To get that order cancelled, the Bangladesh government has hired a law firm in Dubai. We hope to bring him back to the country soon through legal process. The law firm hired from Bangladesh is conducting the necessary legal proceedings on the matter," he said.

According to media reports, a court in the UAE granted Benazir Ahmed's bail application on July 27. Following subsequent legal procedures, he was released on July 30. However, the court ordered that his passport remain in the court's custody, and he cannot leave the UAE without court permission.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating Benazir Ahmed on charges of acquiring illegal assets, money laundering and passport forgery. Based on these allegations, an Interpol Red Notice was issued against him on April 11, 2025. He was later arrested in Dubai by local police.

The UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest via email on June 12. The government subsequently took steps to bring him back through diplomatic channels and sent a formal extradition request within the stipulated time.

Dubai police later gave in-principle consent to the extradition request and sought additional information and clarification from the Bangladesh government. The exchange of necessary documents was underway when news of Benazir's bail release emerged, complicating the extradition process.

It may be noted that Benazir Ahmed is currently facing six corruption cases filed by the ACC, with one case under trial and the others under investigation.