Benazir will have to return to country if found guilty: Quader

Former police chief Benazir Ahmed will have to return to the country if he is found guilty of corruption, said Obaidul Quader, general secretary of the governing Awami League.

"The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the matter of Benazir Ahmed. It's a process. The government cannot do anything going outside the system," he said during a press conference held at the party's president's political office in the capital's Dhanmondi on Sunday (2 June).

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said, "If you want to talk about money laundering, you have to talk about [BNP leader] Tarique Rahman first. Even after being convicted, he is leading a lavish life abroad with the money laundered."

In total, approximately 621 bighas of land owned by Benazir and his family members have been ordered for confiscation by a Dhaka court. Most of these lands, about 521 bighas, are owned by Benazir's wife Zeeshan Mirza.

Benazir Ahmed served as the Inspector General of Police from 15 April 2020 to 30 September 2022. Before this, he held positions as the commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and director general of the Rapid Action Battalion.

Benazir was among those sanctioned by the US in December 2021 for alleged human rights violations while he was serving as the IGP.