[🇧🇩] Extradition of Hasina, Awami Leaders/Beneficiaries and Related News.

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Govt wants to bring back Hasina through legal procedure: Salahuddin

BSS

Published :
May 21, 2026 19:28
Updated :
May 21, 2026 19:28

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government wants to bring back former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh through legal procedures and existing extradition mechanisms.

“We want Sheikh Hasina back through legal procedure. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and under the existing extradition treaty, a formal request has been made for her return so that she can face the cases filed in Bangladesh,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing on the country’s law and order situation at the Home Ministry’s conference room in Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday, the minister said a formal request has already been sent through diplomatic channels for her return so that she can face legal proceedings in Bangladesh.

Responding to another question on India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), the minister said those are entirely India’s internal matters.

“India’s CAA or Assam’s NRC are their own legal and administrative matters concerning their citizens. There is no scope for Bangladesh to comment on those issues,” he said.

However, the minister added that Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on high alert along the border to prevent any kind of illegal infiltration or push-in.

He also said the government remains committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring justice through lawful and institutional processes.​

 

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India may extradite Hasina: HM

Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday hoped that the Indian government would return ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries so that she could face trial.

www.newagebd.net

India may extradite Hasina: HM
Staff Correspondent 24 May, 2026, 16:42

Home affairs minister Salahuddin Ahmed addresses a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at Secretariat on Sunday. | UNB photo

Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday hoped that the Indian government would return ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries so that she could face trial.

‘We want her to face justice,’ he said while responding to questions from journalists at a dialogue organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum at the secretariat in Dhaka.

The minister said that the government had already communicated to India through diplomatic channels for her extradition.

‘We sent a letter to the Indian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking her extradition long ago. We still expect that she will be returned from India in accordance with the legal procedures and the provisions of the extradition treaty between the two countries,’ he said.

Referring to the much-talked-about Ramisa rape-murder case, the minister said that the trial proceedings would be completed within the next five to seven days and the maximum punishment would be ensured for the offender.

He also said that the process of repealing the outdated Gambling Act of 1867 and enacting a modern law to prevent gambling, betting, and online gambling was at its final stage. The proposed bill would be placed in the next JS session for passage.

Highlighting the importance of free media, he said that an independent press is essential for social reform and progress.

However, he added, freedom of speech and the press should operate within reasonable restrictions in the interest of state security, public order, and national interest.

The minister also raised concerns over the misuse of social media, erosion of social values, and attempts to damage the country’s image through ‘fabricated narratives,’ urging media professionals to help raise public awareness.

Responding to a question on the passport policy, he said that the phrase ‘Except Israel’ would be reinstated in the upcoming new passports, calling it a longstanding public demand and a government decision.

On narcotics cases, he said that around 80,000 drug-related cases were pending in Dhaka alone, with many more in other districts, adding that special narcotics tribunals would be formed to reduce the case backlogs.

The dialogue was chaired by BSRF president Masudul Haque where Press Information Department principal information officer Sayed Abdal Ahmed was also present.

Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, fled to India amid a student-led mass uprising on August 5, 2024. She is accused in a number of cases filed over murders and corruption in Bangladesh.​

 

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How Bangladesh plans to extradite fugitive ex-IGP Benazir from UAE within 30 days

bdnews24.com

Published :
Jun 14, 2026 19:48
Updated :
Jun 14, 2026 19:48

Bangladesh is required to submit a formal extradition request within 30 days to secure the return of fugitive former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates on an Interpol alert.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said he was hopeful that Benazir, who faces corruption charges in Bangladesh, could be brought back quickly once the required legal and diplomatic procedures are completed.

The minister told parliament on Sunday about Benazir’s arrest in the UAE.

In a statement under Rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure, he said the government had been informed through an email sent on Jun 12 by the National Central Bureau (NCB) Abu Dhabi under the UAE Ministry of Interior that Benazir had been arrested by local police and was currently in custody.

The home minister said Bangladesh’s NCB at Police Headquarters had requested Interpol to issue a notice for Benazir’s arrest.

Following that request, Interpol issued a Red Notice against him on Apr 11, 2025.

UAE authorities subsequently arrested him based on that notice.

Explaining the next steps, Salahuddin said: “NCB Abu Dhabi informed us that, under UAE federal law, a formal extradition request must be sent through diplomatic channels within 30 days from the date of arrest.”

He said the home ministry would prepare the necessary case documents, arrest warrants and investigation records before approving the extradition proposal. The formal request would then be sent to the UAE authorities through the foreign ministry.

“We will bring him back to Bangladesh as quickly as possible in coordination with NCB Abu Dhabi,” the minister said.

The Interpol Red Notice shows that it was issued against Benazir on Apr 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”.

According to the Red Notice, Benazir submitted a wealth statement to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Aug 27, 2024, declaring assets worth Tk 114.23 million, including Tk 56.74 million in immovable property and Tk 57.49 million in movable assets.

However, ACC investigators later found evidence that he had concealed assets worth Tk 26.29 million and accumulated wealth worth Tk 94.46 million that was allegedly inconsistent with known sources of income.

Based on those findings, a case was filed against him under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

On May 3 this year, a Dhaka court framed charges in the case and ordered the trial to begin.

The Red Notice also refers to alleged offences under Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012, as well as Section 109 of the Penal Code.

In connection with that case, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court issued an arrest warrant against Benazir on Feb 12, 2025. The warrant later formed the basis for the Interpol Red Notice.

Apart from the illicit wealth case, Benazir also faces a separate passport fraud case.

The case, filed on Oct 14, 2024, includes charges under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 and 109 of the Penal Code, Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, and Section 11 of the Bangladesh Passport Order, 1973.

On Feb 20, 2025, the same court issued another arrest warrant against him following a petition by ACC Deputy Director Mohammad Zainal Abedin, the investigating officer in the case.

According to the court order, Benazir applied for passports on multiple occasions while serving as a government official, including as deputy inspector general, additional inspector general, director general of RAB and commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The court said he falsely identified himself as a private-sector employee and obtained passports without securing the required departmental no-objection certificates, thereby acquiring them through fraudulent means.

As Benazir had already left the country, law-enforcing agencies were unable to arrest him.

The court therefore directed authorities to execute the warrant through Interpol with the assistance of the home ministry.

The home minister said the arrest demonstrated that no individual was above the law.​

“I want to assure the nation that no matter how powerful an offender may be, nobody is above the law,” he said.

 

[Saif]

Documents being prepared to bring Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is preparing the necessary documentation to secure the return of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was recently arrested by Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The commission is finalising a formal request containing...

en.prothomalo.com

Documents being prepared to bring Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh

Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 16 Jun 2026, 10: 57

Former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed from Benazir's Facebook page

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is preparing the necessary documentation to secure the return of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was recently arrested by Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The commission is finalising a formal request containing evidence and documentation relating to multiple lawsuits against Benazir Ahmed, including allegations of corruption, illicit wealth accumulation, money laundering and passport fraud.

Once completed, the request will be transmitted through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Home Affairs to the UAE government.

Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai on 12 June. The UAE authorities subsequently informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest by email. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in a statement delivered under Rule 300 in Parliament on Sunday.

According to the minister, Bangladesh must submit a formal request within 30 days of the arrest if it wishes to secure Benazir's return.

Benazir Ahmed left Bangladesh with his family on 4 May 2024. An Interpol Red Notice had previously been issued against him.

ACC preparing extradition request

Sources within the ACC said Benazir Ahmed currently faces six corruption and fraud cases.

Charge sheets have already been submitted in one case involving the acquisition of wealth beyond known sources of income. The commission is now compiling relevant case files, charge sheets, evidence, supporting documents and other records in preparation for sending the request to the UAE authorities.

An ACC official involved in the investigations, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo that some case files had been retained by the courts and have now been retrieved.

He added that the formal request is being prepared in both English and Arabic.

Meanwhile, ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam told a press briefing at the commission's headquarters in Segunbagicha on Monday that the request would be sent shortly.

Rise and fall of a powerful police chief

Benazir Ahmed served as Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) between 2010 and 2015 and later as Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from 2015 to 2020 during the tenure of the Awami League government that was ultimately removed from power in the July mass uprising.

He was appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) in April 2020 and remained in the position until September 2022.

A native of Tungipara in Gopalganj district, Benazir was widely regarded as being close to the then-ruling Awami League, a factor that contributed to his appointment to several key positions within the country's law-enforcement apparatus.

On 10 December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven current and former officials over allegations of serious human rights violations. Benazir Ahmed, then serving as IGP, was among those sanctioned.

He retired in 2022 and was not subsequently appointed to any major public office.

Corruption allegations against him emerged publicly in early 2024. Shortly after the ACC decided to investigate the allegations, he left the country.

Progress of the cases

One ACC case against Benazir Ahmed is currently under trial, while investigations continue into the remaining five.

In three of the six cases, Benazir is the principal accused. In the other three, the accused include his wife, Jeeshan Mirza, and daughters Farhin Rishta Binte Benazir and Tahsin Raisa Binte Benazir, with Benazir listed as a co-accused.

The trial in a case concerning alleged illicit wealth is currently underway before Dhaka Special Judge's Court-5.

The ACC submitted a charge sheet in that case on 30 November last year, alleging that Benazir accumulated approximately Tk 146.2 million (14.52 crore) in illegal assets.

On 8 March, the court accepted the charge sheet and issued an arrest warrant against him. AS he failed to appear before the court, proceedings commenced in absentia.

ACC prosecutor Mir Ahmed Ali Salam expressed optimism that the trial would conclude quickly.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said that testimony from five of the 38 listed witnesses had already been recorded and that the next hearing was scheduled for 23 June.

“If Benazir Ahmed is brought back to Bangladesh and contests the case in person, the witnesses will be cross-examined again. Thereafter, the judicial process will proceed accordingly,” he stated.

Separately, on 14 October 2024, the ACC filed a passport fraud case against Benazir and four others, alleging that he obtained a passport by falsely identifying himself as a private-sector employee while still serving as a government official.

The other accused in the case are former Dhaka Divisional Passport Office Director Md Fazlul Haque, former Director Munshi Mueed Ekram, Director Md Abdullah Al Mamun and Sahena Haque, Technical Manager of the e-passport project.

‘Benazir will be brought before the tribunal’

Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said on Monday that Benazir Ahmed would also be brought before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) if he is brought back to Bangladesh.

During a briefing at his office, Aminul Islam said several cases involving Benazir are currently under investigation and trial before the tribunal.

“If he is brought back to Bangladesh, he will also be produced before this tribunal. He will be presented in the cases that are currently being tried,” he said.

Status of assets

The ACC previously identified nearly 800 bighas of land, four flats in Gulshan, 33 bank accounts, shares in 19 companies, three beneficial owner (BO) accounts used for share trading and savings certificates worth Tk 3 million (30 lakh) held in the names of Benazir Ahmed and his family members.

Following ACC petitions, courts ordered the seizure of almost all of those assets.

A security guard at the building in Gulshan where Benazir owns four apartments told Prothom Alo on Monday, on condition of anonymity, that all four flats remain sealed by court order.

According to him, the combined monthly rental value of the apartments is approximately Tk 500,000.

Fate of the Savana Eco Resort

Benazir Ahmed established the Savana Eco Resort and Natural Park in Bairagi Tol village of Gopalganj Sadar Upazila.

On 10 June 2024, then Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam visited the property. In accordance with court orders, the resort's ponds, water bodies, cottages, eco-resort facilities and other structures were formally attached and placed under state supervision.

Responsibility for agricultural land was assigned to the Department of Agricultural Extension, while ponds and water bodies were placed under the supervision of the district fisheries office.

On 1 February 2025, Suruchi Traders secured a one-year lease through a public tender process. The company paid Tk 3.85 million for leasing 20 ponds and Tk 6.65 million for operating the park.

On 1 February 2026, the company renewed only the park lease, agreeing to a 10 per cent increase and paying Tk 7.31 million. It declined to lease the ponds again after reportedly incurring losses during the previous year.

Md Mamunur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Gopalganj, said notices had already been published in newspapers inviting bids for leasing the ponds.​