Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said that the necessary documents had already been sent to the United Arab Emirates to implement the repatriation of former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed to Bangladesh.
‘We were informed by Dubai authorities through email about Benazir Ahmed’s arrest, and they asked us to send the required documents within 30 days,’ he said.
‘But we prepared the documents the same day and sent them to the foreign affairs ministry. From there, they were forwarded to Dubai through diplomatic channels. We did not take 30 days, we sent the necessary papers within three days,’ he said.
He came up with the remarks while responding to a question from journalists after a ceremony at the secretariat to honour police personnel for their outstanding and commendable contributions to maintaining law and order.
He said that around 144 pages of documents relating to Benazir Ahmed had been translated into the language of the host country.
‘However, we have not yet received any response from Dubai. There was a holiday there, and we will follow up the matter on Sunday,’ he said.
He assured that the government would continue its efforts, noting that the UAE also had its own legal procedures regarding extradition and deportation.
Responding to a question about the legal basis for the repatriation, Salahuddin said that both countries were signatories to the relevant UN provisions and also had a Mutual Legal Assistance Request agreement.
Former IGP Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai on June 12. He left Dhaka on May 4, 2024 with his wife and daughters. Several cases, including six corruption cases, have been filed against him.
Replying to another question, Salahuddin said, ‘Under the UN Charter, we have signed agreements with them on certain matters. Through Mutual Legal Assistance Requests, we have sent several detainees to their country, and they have also sent individuals to us.’
News of Benazir’s arrest in Dubai emerged on June 14. On that day, home minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the information in the Jatiya Sangshad.
Responding to another question, Salahuddin described the Awami League as a ‘mafia party’ rather than a political party, adding that its activities remained banned and law enforcement agencies had been instructed to stay vigilant ahead of the party’s founding anniversary on June 23.
Asked whether there was any specific threat behind the instructions for heightened police vigilance, he said, ‘It is our responsibility to remain alert.’
‘We suspect that a banned political organisation may attempt to create unrest and instability in Bangladesh on June 23 through targeted political activities. The police will perform their duties accordingly. That is why law enforcement agencies across the country have been put on alert.’
The police headquarters has instructed all the units of the force nationwide to take necessary precautionary and security measures ahead of the anniversary of the banned Awami League.
An emergency message to this effect was sent on Thursday to all metropolitan police commissioners and range deputy inspectors general ahead of AL founding anniversary.