The Police Headquarters has claimed that a ‘Red Notice’ has been issued by Interpol for former inspector general of police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed. However, the notice is not yet visible on the official website of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).
Benazir Ahmed, a widely discussed figure in Bangladesh, faces multiple allegations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, murder, and corruption.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the issuance of a notice specifically for financial crimes. The police claim that Benazir is currently absconding abroad, though his exact location remains unknown.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Police Headquarters’ Public Relations and Media Wing, Enamul Haque Sagar, informed journalists on Tuesday that Interpol issued the Red Notice against Benazir on 10 April.
Despite this claim, Benazir’s name or photo does not appear on Interpol’s Red Notice list on its website, raising questions about the authenticity of the notice.
When asked, AIG Sagar explained that most Red Notices on Interpol’s website are restricted and only visible to law enforcement agencies. He added that once certain formalities are completed, Benazir Ahmed’s name will also appear online.
A deputy inspector general (DIG)-ranked officer at the Police Headquarters told Times of Bangladesh that the Red Notice was issued on 10 April following a court directive based on a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Interpol was approached with the request back in February this year.
Regarding the notice not being visible, the officer said that beyond email exchanges, Interpol confirmed the issuance of the Red Notice to the Bangladesh Police during a virtual meeting. Interpol reportedly stated that the notice would be published on their website once Benazir’s location is identified.
When asked about Benazir’s whereabouts, the officer said that he is absconding with his family, but authorities have not yet been able to confirm the country in which he is residing.
The official expressed hope that, since a Red Notice has been issued, his location would be determined soon, which could pave the way for his arrest and repatriation.
Benazir Ahmed served as Bangladesh’s IGP from April 2020 to September 2022. Prior to that, he was the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from January 2015 to April 2020. He also served as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
A native of Gopalganj, Benazir was a high-profile figure in the police force. On 10 December 2021, International Human Rights Day, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its current and former officials, including Benazir Ahmed, citing serious human rights violations. Despite the sanctions, Benazir travelled to the US shortly thereafter without facing any restrictions.
During the tenure of the ruling Awami League government, the ACC launched an investigation against Benazir over allegations of corruption and irregularities. However, before a travel ban could be imposed, Benazir and his family left the country on 4 May last year and have remained in hiding abroad ever since.
On 5 August this year, following the mass uprising that led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Police’s National Central Bureau (NCB) submitted three separate applications to Interpol requesting Red Notices against 12 individuals, including Hasina and Benazir.
The application against Benazir highlighted allegations of financial crimes, while the applications against others included evidence of alleged crimes against humanity.
Previously, Interpol has issued notices against several fugitives from Bangladesh, including top criminals. However, no Red Notice had been issued against a former high-ranking police officer like Benazir until now.