Bangladesh’s Parliament on Tuesday demanded an explanation of how former fugitive police chief Benazir Ahmed secured bail in Dubai despite an Interpol Red Notice and an active extradition effort, as opposition lawmakers accused the government of failing to bring one of the country’s most wanted former officials home to face trial.

The House adopted by voice vote a motion seeking details of the government’s efforts to return Benazir, who faces investigations over alleged crimes against humanity, enforced disappearances, corruption and money laundering.

The motion was moved by opposition Jamaat-e-Islami MP Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem under Rule 147 of the parliamentary Rules of Procedure.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed rejected allegations that the government had mishandled the case, saying Bangladesh formally sought Benazir’s extradition just four days after being notified of his arrest in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the minister, the UAE’s National Central Bureau in Abu Dhabi informed NCB Dhaka on June 12 that Benazir had been arrested.

Bangladesh sent its formal extradition request through diplomatic channels on June 16, despite having 30 days under UAE law to do so, he said.

“The allegation that there was a delay in the extradition process is incorrect,” Salahuddin told Parliament.

But lawmakers questioned how Benazir was subsequently granted bail and whether Bangladesh’s extradition papers contained legal or procedural deficiencies.

Quasem cited an August 30 report by the daily Amar Desh saying a Dubai court granted Benazir bail on July 27, that he was released on July 30 and left the UAE for Saint Lucia on August 17.

The government, however, said it had no official confirmation that Benazir had left Dubai.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir told Parliament that information available to the government indicated Benazir remained in Dubai and had not travelled to Saint Lucia.

The Bangladesh Embassy was monitoring the situation while relevant government agencies were working together to secure his return, he said.

Salahuddin also cautioned against drawing conclusions from media reports.

“No state or relevant authority has officially confirmed” that Benazir travelled to Saint Lucia, he said.

The minister provided Parliament with a detailed timeline of the extradition attempt.

Bangladesh and the UAE do not have a bilateral extradition treaty, meaning Dhaka is pursuing Benazir’s return under UAE domestic law and the principle of reciprocity.

The UAE Justice Ministry sought additional documents on July 8, including an assurance of reciprocity, certified arrest warrants and information on legal limitation periods in the cases against Benazir.

Bangladesh supplied additional documents on Aug. 4.

UAE authorities sought further legal clarification on Aug. 22, including the full text of relevant Bangladeshi laws governing prosecution and enforcement of sentences.

Dhaka has until September 22 to respond.

The Law and Justice Division submitted its opinion on September 1 and the Anti-Corruption Commission followed on September 2. The government is now preparing a consolidated response, including certification and Arabic translations, Salahuddin said.

Bangladesh also appointed Hamdan Al Kabir Advocates & Legal Consultancy through its Abu Dhabi embassy on July 30 to assist with the extradition proceedings.

Quasem's motion demanded that the government disclose whether any errors had been made in the extradition documents and identify officials responsible for any failures.

It also sought an update on an investigation into allegations that Benazir obtained passports from six countries through fraud while serving in government.

The motion further demanded steps to seize his allegedly illicit assets in Bangladesh and abroad.

Salahuddin said Mutual Legal Assistance requests had already been sent to relevant countries concerning assets belonging to Benazir and his family.

Assets could be frozen, seized, confiscated or eventually repatriated depending on evidence received and court orders, he said.

NCP lawmaker Akhtar Hossain said the central question remained how Benazir could secure bail and potentially leave the UAE after the home minister told Parliament in June that the government was working to bring him home.

He also demanded action to return other senior Awami League figures facing criminal charges abroad and called for scrutiny of the role played by intelligence agencies.

Reserved-seat MP Marzia Begum said Benazir's bail had exposed weaknesses in the extradition process and called for his immediate return and prosecution.

JAGPA President Barrister Tasmia Pradhan similarly demanded clarity over whether all required extradition documents had been submitted within the prescribed period.

Government lawmakers largely joined the opposition in demanding that Benazir be brought back to face justice.

State Minister for Shipping Md Rajib Ahsan called for an “exemplary” prosecution and said Bangladesh needed more effective arrangements with countries including the UAE and India for returning accused fugitives.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the home minister should report back to Parliament as soon as possible on how Benazir obtained bail and what measures were being taken to return him.

The House then adopted the motion by voice vote.

Benazir is under investigation in 10 cases before Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal and faces three outstanding arrest warrants, according to information presented during the debate.

Salahuddin insisted that bail did not mean the extradition effort had collapsed.

“Being granted bail does not mean that the extradition process has ended,” he said. “Extradition is a legal and judicial process, and its various stages require time.”

The government would continue its legal and diplomatic efforts until Benazir was brought under Bangladeshi law, he added.

The home minister ended the debate with an appeal for political unity over accountability for the former Awami League government.

Parliament could have disagreements and competing views, he said, but when confronting what he called the “fascist Awami League,” the government and opposition should remain united.

--