Interpol issues red notice for murder suspect Arav Khan

He is a key suspect in the murder of a policeman in Dhaka five years ago

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 March 2023, 05:51 AM
Updated : 24 March 2023, 05:51 AM

The Interpol has issued a red notice for Robiul Islam alias Arav Khan, a fugitive suspect in the murder of a police officer, in line with Bangladesh's request.

The notice was up on the Interpol website on Friday.

A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. It is based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country.

Police in Dhaka wrote to Interpol seeking a red notice on Arav last week and said it would take a few days to be issued.

Bangladesh is seeking Interpol's assistance to apprehend 63 of its nationals, with Arav being the last addition to the list. The Interpol website, however, refers to him as Rabiul Islam, 35, and mentions Bagerhat as his place of birth.

Police in Dhaka wrote to Interpol seeking a red notice on Arav last week and said it would take a few days to be issued.

AIG Mizanur Rahman said a red notice does not become public immediately. Only the officers of a member country's National Central Bureau can see it. The public can access the information once it is posted on the Interpol website.

Member countries can exchange information about a fugitive through Interpol. Arav can be arrested if the Bangladesh government files an official complaint and the host country finds it acceptable.

In that case, the fugitive would face trial in the country where he resides currently. An extradition agreement is needed to bring a fugitive to their home country. But no such agreement exists between Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates. As such, it would be difficult to repatriate Arav despite the issuance of a red notice.

Arav came into the spotlight recently after opening a jewellery store in the United Arab Emirates. Many Bangladeshi celebrities, including cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, actress Prarthana Fardin Dighi and social media star Ashraful Alom aka Hero Alom flew out to Dubai for the store's inauguration at Arav's invitation.

The event caused a stir back home as just prior to it, police revealed that Arav was none other than Rabiul Islam, a fugitive charged with the 2018 murder of police officer Mamun Imran Khan. He took the alias Arav Khan and travelled to Dubai on an Indian passport.

Arav and Rabiul are not his only aliases either as he has gone by various other names at different points. His father came from humble means and worked at a hotel in Dhaka.

Arav has gone on to make a fortune, but the source of his wealth is dubious.

Police in Kotalipara have as many as nine arrest warrants for Arav, and the number of cases against him is even higher.