Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was recently granted conditional bail by a court in the United Arab Emirates, may possess passports of other countries, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad said on Monday, adding that the government had already moved to challenge the bail order and expedite efforts to bring him back to Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said the government had instructed its appointed law firm in the UAE to obtain a certified copy of the court order, submit all relevant extradition documents and immediately file a petition seeking cancellation of Benazir's bail.'I came to know yesterday that the UAE court granted him conditional bail on the condition that he cannot leave the country,' Salahuddin Ahmad said. He said the government wanted to examine all the conditions attached to the bail before taking further legal steps. 'Our secretary has already spoken to the UAE ambassador and our appointed law firm has been instructed to obtain the certified copy of the court order. We have also requested the firm to submit all documents relating to his repatriation before the court and seek cancellation of the bail immediately,' he said.
Asked why the UAE court had granted bail despite Bangladesh's efforts to bring Benazir back, the minister said he would not comment on the decision of a foreign court without knowing its full details.
'We suspect that he may possess passports of other countries. That is why we have instructed our legal team to file a petition seeking cancellation of his bail,' he said.
The government has been pursuing Benazir's repatriation in connection with multiple corruption and money laundering cases filed against him in Bangladesh.
Replying to another question, the minister said there was no reason for public panic over the recovery of bomb-like objects in Kamalapur and Ashulia, adding that law enforcement agencies had already launched investigations into both incidents.
He said security agencies had taken coordinated measures to ensure the peaceful observance of Rath Yatra and Ulto Rath Yatra across the country.
According to the minister, a suspicious object concealed inside an umbrella was found beneath a metro rail pillar in the Kamalapur-Motijheel area during Ulto Rath Yatra after two Ansar members spotted it and informed the police. The area was immediately cordoned off and the bomb disposal unit safely removed and later detonated the object.
He said another bomb-like object was subsequently recovered from a bag abandoned by a suspected miscreant in Ashulia and was also disposed of safely following standard procedures.
'We are investigating whether the two incidents are linked. It appears that certain quarters may have attempted to create panic or disrupt communal harmony. We are trying to identify those responsible,' he said.
The minister said specialised intelligence and counterterrorism units remained on alert to prevent extremist activities and any attempts to undermine communal peace. He also noted that, compared with the corresponding period in previous years, the number of such incidents had declined significantly, although the authorities remained vigilant.
Responding to a question about the recent visit of US official Sergio Gor, Salahuddin Ahmad referred to the foreign ministry's briefing and said the US official had himself expressed confidence in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership after their meeting.
He said Sergio Gor had conveyed optimism about Bangladesh's future and expressed hope that the country would continue to make progress under the prime minister's leadership.
