Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said legal and diplomatic efforts are continuing to bring former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He said a formal extradition request was sent within four days of Benazir’s arrest, stressing that there had been no delay on the government’s part.
The home minister made the remarks while responding to a general proposal raised by Dhaka-14 lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure during the third session of the 13th National Parliament on Tuesday.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over the session.
Salahuddin said an Interpol Red Notice had been issued against Benazir. The UAE’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abu Dhabi formally informed NCB Dhaka of his arrest on June 12.
Bangladesh sent a formal extradition request through diplomatic channels on June 16, although UAE law allows 30 days to submit such a request. A copy was also sent to NCB Abu Dhabi the same day.
As Bangladesh and the UAE have no bilateral extradition treaty, the process is being pursued under UAE law and the principle of reciprocity, he said.
The UAE Ministry of Justice sought additional information and documents on July 8. Bangladesh sent further supporting documents on August 4.
On August 22, the UAE authorities sought additional legal explanations and relevant laws. Bangladesh has until September 22 to respond.
The Law and Justice Division provided its opinion on September 1, while the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) gave its opinion on September 2. A consolidated response is now being prepared and will be sent after certification and Arabic translation.
Salahuddin said Hamdan Al Kaabi Advocates and Legal Consultancy was appointed through the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi on July 30 to provide legal assistance in the extradition process.
No official confirmation of Saint Lucia move
Regarding reports that Benazir had left the UAE for Saint Lucia, the home minister said Bangladesh had received no official confirmation from any country or relevant authority.
If his whereabouts are confirmed in another country, Bangladesh will seek his arrest and extradition or take other legal measures under the laws and international arrangements applicable there, he said.
MLA requests sent over assets
The government has also sent Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) requests to relevant countries regarding Benazir and his family’s assets abroad.
Based on information received, steps will be taken to freeze, seize, confiscate or repatriate the assets in accordance with the law and court orders.
The minister also said the ACC had filed separate cases against Benazir over alleged passport fraud involving six countries. Senior officials of the Department of Immigration and Passports have also been accused in the cases.
‘There is a legal procedure’
Responding to calls to bring Benazir back from the UAE, Salahuddin said the government could not simply travel to another country, arrest someone and bring them back.
“The government talks government-to-government, and the foreign ministry talks foreign ministry-to-foreign ministry. You cannot simply rush to Dubai over every matter; there is a legal procedure,” he said.
He said the foreign minister had also held discussions with UAE authorities in Dubai about bringing Benazir back.
Regarding Benazir’s bail, Salahuddin said it did not mean the extradition process had ended.
“Extradition is a legal and judicial process, and it takes time to complete its various stages,” he said.
