The government continues all possible egal, diplomatic and international police cooperation efforts to bring former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh to face trial, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad told Parliament on Tuesday.
The Home Minister informed the Jatiya Sangsad that following the issuance of an arrest warrant against Benazir Ahmed by a competent court in Bangladesh, the government initiated steps to issue an Interpol Red Notice against him. The Red Notice was issued on April 11, 2025.
He said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially informed the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh Police on June 12, 2026, that Benazir Ahmed had been arrested in the country. At the same time, the UAE authorities requested Bangladesh to submit a formal extradition request within 30 days under the country’s relevant laws.
Without waiting for the deadline, Bangladesh sent a formal extradition request to the UAE central authorities through diplomatic channels on June 16, just four days after receiving the notification. The government also forwarded the request to the relevant NCB on the same day for information and coordination, he added.
Salahuddin said extradition is a judicial and state-level process, and neither the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice nor the arrest of a person automatically ensures extradition.
The receiving country’s central authorities and courts examine extradition requests in accordance with their domestic laws, taking into consideration the nature of the alleged offenses, arrest warrants, evidence, and other legal requirements before making a decision, he explained.
He further clarified that the concerned person’s release on bail does not mean the end of the extradition process. Similarly, the need to complete judicial and legal procedures before extradition cannot be considered government inaction or failure.
Regarding assets held abroad in the names of Benazir Ahmed and his family members, the Home Minister said the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had sent Mutual Legal Assistance Requests (MLARs) to the relevant countries.
He said the government would take further legal steps to freeze, seize, confiscate or recover those assets under applicable laws, court orders and international cooperation frameworks after receiving the necessary documents, information and evidence.
The Home Minister said Bangladesh had submitted the extradition request within the stipulated timeframe, provided additional documents as requested by the UAE authorities and appointed local lawyers to pursue the matter.
He added that the government continued to monitor Benazir Ahmed’s whereabouts and movements and maintain coordination with the relevant authorities.
Reaffirming the government’s position, Salahuddin said the government was pursuing the matter with full respect for the rule of law, due judicial process and international cooperation.
He said the government would continue all possible efforts to bring Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh based on reliable official information rather than unverified reports, while respecting the sovereignty and domestic laws of the concerned country.
It may be mentioned that following a resolution adopted under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure during the third session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, the Speaker directed the government to inform Parliament about the steps taken to bring former IGP Benazir Ahmed back to the country to face trial.