ACC initiates process to bring back Benazir from UAE under prisoner transfer treaty
The documents related to corruption and illicit wealth accumulation cases filed against the former police chief, along with relevant court orders and supporting evidence, will be forwarded to the concerned authorities in the UAE.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated the process to bring back former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates, by invoking a prisoner transfer agreement and other international legal cooperation mechanisms.
Speaking to the media today (16 June), ACC Deputy Director Akhtarul Islam said the commission has sent the required documents to the relevant authorities through the National Central Bureau (NCB) of Bangladesh.
According to ACC sources, two representatives from NCB Bangladesh visited the commission's headquarters today and held discussions with ACC officials regarding the ongoing cases against Benazir, existing arrest warrants, court orders and other necessary legal documents.
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ACC officials said documents related to corruption and illicit wealth accumulation cases filed against the former police chief, along with relevant court orders and supporting evidence, have been handed over to the NCB.
The documents will be forwarded through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via diplomatic channels to the concerned authorities in the UAE.
Officials said efforts are underway to secure Benazir's return under the existing prisoner transfer agreement and international legal assistance frameworks.
The development comes two days after Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament that Benazir had been arrested in Dubai and would be brought back to Bangladesh soon.
Meanwhile, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) says Benazir is linked to around 10 cases currently under investigation.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam alleged that Benazir played a central role in several controversial incidents during his tenure in law enforcement.
"Benazir Ahmed is not only the mastermind of the Shapla Chattar incident. We once knew that he was running the whole of Bangladesh. No one was considered more powerful than him," Aminul said.
He said investigations into enforced disappearances allegedly committed during Benazir's tenure at the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as the Shapla Chattar incident, are nearing completion.
The chief prosecutor also alleged that Benazir is directly linked to the killing of Ekramul Haque in Cox's Bazar and was involved in multiple extrajudicial killings during his time as police commissioner, RAB chief and later IGP.
Aminul further claimed that Benazir played a controversial role during elections held under the previous government.
He said that once returned to Bangladesh, Benazir would be produced before the tribunal in connection with ongoing proceedings and questioned in cases that remain under investigation.
