The parliament has asked the government to inform it promptly about the steps being taken regarding the extradition process after adopting the motion.
Former inspector general of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. Photo: Collected
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Former inspector general of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. Photo: Collected
The government has not officially confirmed reports that former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed is in Saint Lucia, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament today (8 September), adding that it would be inappropriate to reach a conclusion based solely on media reports.
Mir Ahmad, citing media reports, said a Dubai court granted Benazir bail on 27 July; he was released on 30 July and reportedly left Dubai for Saint Lucia on 17 August. He moved a motion under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure on Benazir’s repatriation and his reported release on bail.
The parliament has asked the government to inform it promptly about the steps being taken regarding the extradition process after adopting the motion.
The minister said Bangladesh had pursued Benazir’s extradition from the UAE without delay, despite having no bilateral extradition treaty with the country. After the UAE’s National Central Bureau notified Bangladesh of his arrest on 12 June, a formal extradition request was sent on 16 June, within the UAE’s 30-day requirement.
The UAE Ministry of Justice sought additional documents on 8 July, which Bangladesh provided on 4 August. On 22 August, UAE authorities sought further legal explanations, including case time limits and laws on sentence expiry.
Bangladesh must respond by 22 September. Opinions from the Law and Justice Division and Anti-Corruption Commission were received on 1 and 2 September, and a consolidated response is being prepared and translated into Arabic.
Bangladesh also appointed Hamdan Al Kabir Advocates & Legal Consultancy through its Abu Dhabi embassy on 30 July for extradition-related legal assistance.
Foreign State Minister Humaiun Kobir said the government’s information indicates that Benazir is in Dubai and that he did not travel to Saint Lucia. He said the Bangladesh embassy was monitoring the matter and efforts were under way to bring Benazir back to the country.
Salahuddin said Benazir securing bail did not end the extradition process, which is a legal and judicial procedure requiring time to complete.
He also said the ACC had filed separate cases against Benazir over alleged passport fraud involving six countries, with senior immigration and passport officials also accused. The cases are under investigation.
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