Former president Abdul Hamid has returned to Bangladesh. He arrived in Dhaka late Sunday night after receiving medical treatment in Thailand.
Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Group Captain Ragib Samad confirmed that the former president returned via a Thai Airways flight.
Airport sources stated that flight TG 339 landed in Dhaka at 1:20am. Unlike usual VIP protocols, Hamid completed standard immigration procedures dressed in a shirt and lungi, accompanied by his brother-in-law and son.
Seated in a wheelchair, Hamid waited at immigration from around 1:45am to 2:30am, with clearance completed by approximately 2:45am before his departure from the airport. His post-arrival destination remains undisclosed.
Hamid’s return follows speculation about his potential arrest upon arrival, with rumors suggesting he might avoid returning to evade detention. An adviser had earlier hinted at Interpol assistance to secure his return.
Despite being an accused in a July uprising-related murder case, Hamid had departed Bangladesh on May 7 via Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thai Airways flight TG 338 after clearing immigration checks. His exit sparked controversy, leading to the suspension of two police officers for negligence.
A high-profile committee chaired by Education Adviser Professor CR Abrar was formed to investigate the incident, with members including Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain from the Ministry of Shipping.
Political circles and government insiders had debated Hamid’s unimpeded departure nine months after the fall of the Awami League government during a student-led mass uprising. Authorities had earlier vowed to arrest him if he returned.
Hamid faces a murder case filed on January 14 at Kishoreganj Sadar Police Station, which also names former PM Sheikh Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, Sayema Wazed Putul, and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
“Former president Hamid wasn’t arrested to ensure no innocent person is punished,” said the Home Affairs Adviser after concluding an inspection at Jatrabari Police Station.
Multiple officers from Dhaka Metropolitan Police have stated that former president Abdul Hamid was not arrested due to the absence of a court warrant. Investigations are ongoing regarding the case filed against him in Kishoreganj. He will be arrested if the investigation substantiates the allegations. Airport police confirmed that Hamid returned to the country accompanied by his younger son Riad Ahmed and brother-in-law Dr Naushad Khan, who had traveled with him to Bangkok.
Born in 1944 in Kamalpur village, Mithamain Upazila, Kishoreganj, Hamid served as Bangladesh’s 20th and 21st president. A 1971 Liberation War veteran, he was awarded the Independence Day Award in 2013.
His political career began with the Chhatra League in 1959, joining Awami League in 1969. Elected to Pakistan’s National Assembly in 1970 from Mymensingh-18, he became the youngest member of the Constituent Assembly.
Hamid was elected MP from Mymensingh-30 in 1973 and later from Kishoreganj-5 in multiple terms. He served as Deputy Speaker (1996–2001) and Speaker (2001, 2009–2013) before his presidency.