Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government will appeal to cancel the conditional bail granted to former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed by a court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday, he said the government has instructed its appointed law firm in the UAE to take the necessary legal steps.
The home minister said the government has not yet received the full text of the court order but has learned that Benazir has been granted conditional bail and is barred from leaving the UAE.
"I came to know about the matter on Sunday afternoon. From what I have heard, she has been granted conditional bail and cannot leave the UAE. However, we do not yet know the other conditions of the bail," he said.
Salahuddin said the government has asked its legal representatives in the UAE to obtain a certified copy of the bail order and immediately submit to the court the documents Bangladesh had sent seeking Benazir's extradition.
He added that the law firm had also been instructed to file an application seeking cancellation of her bail.
The home minister said the Home Ministry secretary had already discussed the matter with the Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE.
He also said the government was examining reports that Benazir may possess a passport from another country.
"Because of this possibility, we are looking into the matter seriously and want to know all the conditions of the bail," he said.
Legal and diplomatic efforts continue
Asked whether diplomatic efforts offered a better chance of securing Benazir's return than legal proceedings, Salahuddin said both avenues were being pursued.
"We are trying to bring her back through diplomatic channels. However, she has the right to seek legal remedies in the UAE courts. I do not want to comment further until we receive the court order," he said.
Bangladesh has formally requested the UAE authorities to extradite Benazir, who is facing multiple corruption cases.
No need to panic over bomb-like objects
The home minister also urged the public not to panic over the recovery of bomb-like objects near metro rail infrastructure in Dhaka.
He said law enforcement agencies had ensured the peaceful completion of the Rath Yatra and Ulto Rath Yatra processions.
According to Salahuddin, two Ansar members spotted a suspicious object inside an umbrella beneath a metro rail pillar in the Motijheel area and alerted police. The Bomb Disposal Unit later recovered and safely detonated it.
"There is no reason to panic. Someone may have been trying to disrupt communal harmony. We are investigating the matter seriously to identify those responsible," he said.
He added that another suspicious object had also been recovered from a bag elsewhere and destroyed in a controlled explosion. Authorities are investigating whether the two incidents are linked.
The home minister said such incidents had declined compared with previous years but added that law enforcement agencies remained on alert against extremist activities and attempts to incite communal unrest.
Police alert part of routine security
Responding to a question on whether police had been specifically warned about possible activities by the banned Awami League, Salahuddin said the instructions issued to police were part of routine operational procedures.
He said police vehicles are never left unattended, officers are instructed not to leave vehicles unmanned, and at least one member is required to remain with the vehicle at all times.
"These are standard precautionary measures. There is no need to link them to any specific political party," he said.
Regarding the organisational capacity of the banned Awami League, Salahuddin said the party currently had little visible activity inside the country.
"However, we have noticed that statements and instructions are being issued from abroad from time to time. Law enforcement agencies are monitoring the situation," he added.