It was embarrassing to recall Bangladesh diplomat Anarkoly from Indonesia, says State Minister Shahriar

The deputy chief of the Bangladesh mission in Indonesia was recalled after she was detained for possession of drugs

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has described the situation of Kazi Anarkoly, the diplomat who was recalled from the Indonesia mission under allegations of keeping narcotics in her home, as an ‘unfortunate and embarrassing’ incident.

“We are investigating,” he told the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. “We saw the news, but it isn’t just a matter of seeing it. We had heard about the official's situation a few days prior. We are looking into it. It is embarrassing for us.”

Anarkoly, the deputy chief of the Jakarta mission, was detained for ‘having a large amount of marijuana’ in her home and was brought back from Jakarta, according to several news reports on Tuesday.

The reports say that the Indonesian government’s narcotics control authority raided Anarkoly’s apartment in Jakarta in the first week of July. She was detained afterwards but was released later due to the diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Conventions.

The state minister said she was later brought back to Bangladesh after discussions with the Indonesian government.

If the investigation found her guilty, legal action will be taken against her, Shahriar said.

“We can never compromise the high standards of the foreign ministry cadre. I can say this much – if the allegations are proven by the investigation, we will definitely take legal action.”

Asked about the raid on Anarkoly’s home despite her diplomatic immunity, he said:

“Our initial reaction is that there was nothing wrong with it. We have also heard there was another foreign citizen at the house and police are allowed to go in.”

“But we would also thank the Indonesian government for their support. The diplomat is in our custody, which is helpful for our work. But I assure you, there will be a full investigation and it will proceed properly.”

According to media reports, the other foreign national detained at Anarkoly’s home is Nigerian.

Asked what aspect of the incident was ‘embarrassing’ to the government, Shahriar Alam said:

“That one of our officials is involved. Whether we call it a story, or happening, or incident, she is involved.”

“Whether she or her friend is responsible will be cleared up by the investigation. But the whole matter is unfortunate and embarrassing.”

It is not the first time Anarkoly has been recalled from her diplomatic duties. She was previously recalled from Los Angeles after a household aide went missing.

Anarkoly, an official from the 20th BCS batch of the foreign affairs cadre, had been the Bangladesh deputy consul in that state.