The Dubai City Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arrested Benazir Ahmed, the former Inspector General of Bangladesh Police (IGP). He was apprehended in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh.
A source at the Police Headquarters confirmed that the former IGP was arrested with the assistance of Interpol. According to the source, authorities were informed of the matter through a letter sent on June 12.
Benazir Ahmed is currently reported to be in the custody of the Dubai Police. The ACC will initiate the necessary legal procedures to bring him back to the country.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has also confirmed the arrest of Benazir Ahmed in Dubai and spoke regarding the extradition of the former IGP.
The Home Minister stated that a proposal would be sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring him back via diplomatic channels under the extradition treaty.
Notably, the ACC filed a case against Benazir Ahmed on December 15, 2024, on charges of acquiring illicit wealth, concealing asset details, and money laundering. On March 8, 2026, a Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against him. Noting that he was residing abroad, the court directed the warrant to be executed through Interpol. Consequently, the Dubai Police arrested Benazir with Interpol's assistance.
On May 4, 2024, he left Dhaka on a Singapore Airlines flight accompanied by his wife and daughters. However, specific details regarding his destination on that day remained unknown, and the former IGP had been out of the public eye ever since.
Benazir Ahmed assumed the role of IGP in April 2020 and held the top post in Bangladesh Police until September 30, 2022. In December 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on seven officials of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) over human rights violations. The sanctions targeted both serving and former officials of the elite force, which included Benazir Ahmed.
