Published : 02 Aug 2026, 09:12 PM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:29 AM
Several media outlets have reported that Benazir Ahmed, the former inspector general of police, who was arrested in the United Arab Emirates, has been released on bail there at the request of Bangladesh.
Asia Post wrote that their correspondent spoke to Benazir after his release in Dubai.
The newspaper's report said that a court in the UAE granted Benazir's bail application on Jul 27. The former police chief was then released on Jul 30 after completing all legal procedures.
Asia Post wrote that a hearing was held at the Dubai court on the extradition documents and legal procedures sent by the Bangladesh government to bring Benazir back to the country. Afterwards, he was granted conditional bail.
The court stipulated that Benazir's passport would remain in the custody of the court and he would not be able to leave the UAE without permission.
Bangladeshi daily Kalbela, citing sources in Benazir’s family, wrote that despite the court’s bail conditions, the former police chief is trying to leave Dubai for a European country.
Meanwhile, the National Central Bureau (NCB), the Interpol branch at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka, says it is not aware of Benazir's release.
Asked about the situation, Assistant Inspector General AHM Shahadat Hossain at Police Headquarters told bdnews24.com on Sunday afternoon that he had seen the news reports and had spoken to the concerned NCB official in this regard.
"They told me that they do not have any such information."
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating Benazir, a controversial police official who held office during the Awami League era, on multiple charges, including illegal acquisition of wealth and money laundering. As part of that investigation, an Interpol red notice was issued against him on Apr 11, 2025.
Based on that notice, Dubai police arrested Benazir. The UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government about the matter through an email on Jun 12.
Then, on Jun 14, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament that a formal extradition request should be sent through diplomatic channels within 30 days from the date of arrest.
He added the government would take the initiative to bring Benazir to Bangladesh quickly in coordination with the NCB Abu Dhabi.
Accordingly, the necessary documents were prepared and an extradition request was sent to the UAE. A month later, Dubai Police wrote to Bangladesh seeking “in-principle consent” to return Benazir, as well as some more information and explanations.
While these documents were being processed, news came that Benazir had been released on bail, throwing the extradition into uncertainty.
The ACC has filed six corruption cases against Benazir on various charges, including passport fraud and acquiring assets beyond known sources of income. The trial is ongoing in one case, while the rest are under investigation.
