Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, accused in multiple corruption cases, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates with assistance from Interpol, according to Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. Authorities found several passports, including one from Portugal, and a UAE residence permit in his possession. He was detained at Dubai Airport after being identified by an AI camera system while waiting for a transit flight from London.
Bangladesh police officials said the AI camera flagged his presence, triggering an alert to airport authorities who quickly located and arrested him. The UAE police charged him with entering the country using forged travel documents. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh had earlier sought international cooperation to apprehend him in connection with illegal wealth accumulation cases.
The UAE’s Ministry of Interior formally notified Bangladesh of the arrest on June 12. The home minister stated that Bangladesh must submit an extradition request within 30 days under UAE law, and the government has already initiated the necessary diplomatic procedures to bring him back.