Benazir Ahmed's extradition process moving ahead rapidly: Salahuddin
The home minister also said law enforcement agencies have been directed to remain on maximum alert ahead of 23 June, the founding anniversary of the Awami League.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (20 June) said the process of bringing former inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed back to Bangladesh is progressing rapidly following his arrest in the United Arab Emirates.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said authorities are moving forward swiftly with the necessary procedures to facilitate Benazir's extradition.
The Federal National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 12 June, informed Bangladesh's NCB via email that it had successfully arrested Benazir on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued at Bangladesh's request.
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Salahuddin said the UAE Federal Police provided 30 days for the next stage of legal proceedings following the arrest.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs prepared and translated all necessary documents – spanning 144 pages – and sent them to the UAE government through diplomatic channels within just three days, the minister said.
Awami League a 'mafia party'
During the briefing, Salahuddin said law enforcement agencies have been directed to remain on maximum alert ahead of 23 June, the founding anniversary of the activities-banned Awami League.
He noted that security agencies have been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent any acts of sabotage, unrest, or attempts to disrupt public order surrounding the occasion.
The minister said the government is closely monitoring the situation and that law enforcement agencies are prepared to respond to any potential security threats.
"We have intelligence information that the Awami League may try to create unrest and instability in the country surrounding 23 June. Police remain vigilant at all times to ensure the safety of people's lives and property, and field-level officers have been placed on the highest state of alert to thwart any kind of sabotage attempt," he said.
The minister further said the current government does not consider the Awami League a political party, describing it instead as a "mafia party".
He noted that all political activities of the party are currently banned. In this context, special surveillance and precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that no untoward situation arises surrounding its founding anniversary.
