How an MP friend allegedly led to Benazir’s arrest

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed was detained from a shopping mall near his Dubai residence on 12 June—not at Dubai Airport as previously reported—his family has claimed.

As Dubai’s courts have been operating on a limited schedule due to an extended public holiday, he may be produced before a court on Tuesday (16 June), when a hearing on his bail petition could also take place. A local lawyer has reportedly been appointed to represent him.

Family sources said Benazir Ahmed had been living in Dubai with his family for a considerable period. They alleged that while he was at home on 12 June, a Member of Parliament from the Chattogram region—described as his friend and business associate—called and invited him to meet at a nearby shopping mall. 

Upon arriving there, Benazir was allegedly detained by Dubai Police officers who had been waiting at the location and was subsequently taken into custody. Family members further claimed that individuals close to the MP were present at the scene.

According to the family, Dubai Police informed them that there were no local criminal cases against Benazir Ahmed. They contend that he was detained because of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Bangladesh Police. 

They also alleged that the MP personally facilitated the delivery of documents related to the Red Notice to Dubai authorities. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.

A source close to Benazir Ahmed said Dubai Police initially reviewed the validity of his visa, the purpose of his stay in the UAE, and the allegations against him. Authorities later informed the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Dhaka and Bangladesh Police that he was a Bangladeshi citizen subject to an Interpol notice.

Family sources stated that legal counsel has been appointed in Dubai and that documents related to the cases pending against him in Bangladesh have been sent there on the lawyer’s advice. Although courts operated on a limited basis on 12 June, regular judicial proceedings were suspended for several days because of weekly and public holidays. Court operations are expected to resume on Tuesday.

According to sources familiar with the matter, if Dubai Police seek a court order to send him to jail, his lawyer will apply for bail. If he is not produced before a court, legal applications will be submitted to the prosecution office on his behalf. Preparations for both scenarios have reportedly been completed.

Attempts were made several times to obtain comments from the MP accused of luring Benazir Ahmed to the shopping mall, but no official response was received. Although brief phone contact was eventually established, the MP declined to comment.

Bangladesh Police sources have confirmed that Benazir Ahmed remains in the custody of Dubai Police and that Bangladesh was informed through the Interpol notification process. However, a senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it remains an important question whether the detention resulted solely from routine Interpol procedures or whether other factors also played a role. The official also noted that the timely submission of required documents would be crucial.

No final decision has yet been made regarding Benazir Ahmed’s return to Bangladesh. A former Additional IGP said that any extradition process would depend on the laws of both countries, applicable bilateral arrangements, the nature of the cases involved, and court decisions. He emphasized that the existence of an Interpol Red Notice alone does not guarantee a swift extradition.

Even if the Bangladesh government formally requests his return, Dubai authorities will first examine the legal basis of the allegations and the supporting case documents. Any issues relating to identity verification or travel documents could further delay the process, making an immediate return to Bangladesh unlikely even if court proceedings begin.

Assistant Inspector General (Media) H M Shahadat Hossain said, “We have been informed of the arrest of former IGP Benazir Ahmed. Police Headquarters is continuing efforts through the Ministries of Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs to bring him back to Bangladesh.”

Benazir Ahmed currently faces multiple cases and investigations in Bangladesh. The next stages of the legal process will largely depend on decisions by Dubai’s courts, prosecutors, and the formal actions taken by the Bangladesh government. Observers believe a clearer picture regarding his detention, possible bail, and potential extradition will emerge once normal court proceedings resume in Dubai.