The United Arab Emirates has agreed in principle to hand over former Bangladesh inspector general of police Benazir Ahmed, who is accused in multiple cases involving corruption, assets beyond known income, passport fraud and crimes against humanity. The information was announced on July 31 by Anti-Corruption Commission spokesperson and deputy director Md Aktarul Islam. Ahmed has been held in a UAE prison for more than a month and a half.

After reviewing preliminary case documents following an Interpol Red Notice, Dubai Police requested information related to legal and technical requirements for the detainee’s extradition. Anti-Corruption Commission investigators are preparing the requested materials, according to Police Headquarters spokesperson AHM Shahadat Hossain. Lawyer Olora Afrin said a UAE court would consider evidence, compatibility between the two countries’ laws, presentation of information in court and diplomatic efforts.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government does not expect the return process to be difficult, citing relevant UN Charter commitments regardless of whether an extradition treaty exists. A senior Home Ministry official indicated that the process could take several more months. Dubai Police arrested Ahmed at a shopping mall on June 12, and Bangladesh subsequently sent 144 pages of required documents.