UAE asks Bangladesh to submit extradition papers for Benazir Ahmed within 30 days

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed has been arrested in Dubai. The arrest was made on June 12 by Dubai Police based on a request by Bangladesh's Interpol following cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) .

The arrest was confirmed in a formal letter from NCB Abu Dhabi, under the UAE's Ministry of Interior, to NCB Dhaka of Bangladesh Police. The letter has requested Bangladesh to submit a formal extradition request within the next 30 days .

Under UAE federal law, a formal extradition request must be submitted within 30 days from the date of arrest. The Ministry of Home Affairs will prepare and approve the extradition proposal, which will then be formally transmitted to the UAE authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

ACC, multiple ministries working on repatriation
The government has begun working on the process to bring Benazir Ahmed back to the country. The Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the National Central Bureau (NCB) of police are coordinating on the next steps .

The ACC is compiling the necessary legal documents, arrest warrants, and investigative records to support the extradition request. The Home Ministry is finalising the formal extradition proposal for swift diplomatic transmission to the UAE .

No extradition treaty, but precedents exist
Bangladesh does not have an extradition treaty with the UAE. However, there are precedents of bringing back fugitives from the UAE through mutual legal assistance and diplomatic channels .

In May of this year, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) brought back murder accused Arif Sarker from Dubai with Interpol's assistance. In 2022, Sumon Sikder alias Musa was brought back from Oman through diplomatic channels. In 2015, Kamrul Islam, the main accused in the murder of child Sheikh Samiul Alam Rajon, was brought back from Saudi Arabia without an extradition treaty .

Interpol Red Notice details
Interpol issued the Red Notice against Benazir Ahmed on April 11, 2025, under Control Number A-5174/4-2025 . The notice describes him as a "fugitive wanted for prosecution" and identifies him as both "dangerous" and an "escape risk" .

The Red Notice was issued based on an ACC case filed over allegations of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income. According to the notice, Benazir submitted a wealth statement to the ACC declaring assets worth Tk 11.42 crore, but investigators found evidence of concealed assets worth Tk 2.62 crore and wealth worth Tk 9.44 crore beyond known income sources .

A Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against Benazir on February 12, 2025, which formed the basis for the Interpol notice .

Historic achievement, says home minister
Describing the arrest as a historic achievement for the police force, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed made a statement in Parliament under Rule 300 on Sunday, June 14 .

"This is a historic success for Bangladesh Police. Through this, we will be able to break the culture of impunity. We want to assure the nation that no perpetrator, however powerful, is above the law. This will remain a milestone in Bangladesh's history and in the establishment of the rule of law," the home minister said .

Benazir Ahmed served as IGP from April 2020 to September 2022. Prior to that, he held key positions as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) .

In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on seven RAB officials, including Benazir Ahmed, over allegations of human rights violations.