ACC aims to bring back ex-IGP Benazir

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated the process to bring back former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the existing prisoner transfer and extradition framework.

ACC Deputy Director Aktarul Islam confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying that the necessary documents have already been handed over to Bangladesh’s National Central Bureau (NCB), which is coordinating the extradition process with relevant authorities.

According to ACC officials, two representatives of the NCB recently visited the ACC headquarters and held discussions on ongoing corruption cases, court-issued arrest warrants, judicial orders and related documents concerning the former police chief.

The ACC said detailed records of corruption allegations and illicit wealth accumulation cases filed against Benazir Ahmed, along with supporting court documents, have been provided to the NCB. These will be forwarded through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UAE authorities.

Officials said the process is being carried out under bilateral extradition arrangements and international legal cooperation mechanisms.

Earlier, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament that UAE police arrested Benazir Ahmed on June 12 and that he remains in custody. He added that, under UAE law, an extradition request must be submitted through diplomatic channels within 30 days of arrest.

Benazir Ahmed is facing multiple cases involving allegations of corruption, money laundering and passport forgery. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him on April 11, 2025, following a request from Bangladesh Police Headquarters.

He was reportedly detained at Dubai International Airport after arriving from London, with authorities allegedly tracing his location through an artificial intelligence-based surveillance system.