Benazir Ahmed

Benzir Ahmed is a retired police officer who served as the inspector general of the Bangladesh Police. He is currently on a US sanctions list due to RAB's alleged role in forcibly disappearing citizens since December 2021.

Education Benazir Ahmed was born in Gopalganj. Enrollment qualifications were relaxed by his PhD supervisor, Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam. He criticized a Transparency International Bangladesh report on the Bangladesh police, which he described as criticizing the police "cruelly" and "unjustly" in 2013.

On 30 December 2014, Ahmed was appointed director general of the Rapid Action Battalion, replacing Mukhlesur Rahman.

Ahmed was made the inspector general of police in April 2020.

In 2022, the home ministry issued a notice that the IGP and two other officials were going to Germany on a 9-day visit to check the quality of 100,000 pieces of bed sheets for double cots and pillows for the police department. This news caused controversy. Later the trip was cancelled after an uproar. The Bangladesh Police claim that these reports were "untrue and misleading," and were a result of "linguistic confusion".

US sanctions On 10 December 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury added Ahmed to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list under the Global Magnitsky Act. Individuals on the list have their assets blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from having financial dealings with them.

Ahmed denied all allegations and expressed his shock at being sanctioned. He blamed the sanctions on "propaganda" and "anti-state forces." He also accused human rights organizations of misleading US politicians, specifically referring to one unnamed group whose "South Asia director" was "a Pakistani".

An Interpol Red Notice was issued in crimes against humanity and economic corruption cases.

Allegations of corruption

On 31 March 2024, two Bangladeshi newspapers, Bangladesh Pratidin and Kaler Kantho, published an investigative article on alleged corruption by Ahmed. According to the article, Ahmed built a resort, Savannah Eco Resort, in Bairagitol village of Gopalganj District, Bangladesh, by illegally seizing lands from Hindu families. On 3 June, he left the country. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) raised alarms over massive corruption allegations against him. The Anti-Corruption Commission says proof of corruption was found against Ahmed, and a case would be filed. On 12 June, the court ordered confiscation of more properties of Ahmed and his family.

Personal life Ahmed is married to Zeeshan Mirza. Together they have three daughters: Farheen Rishta Binte Benazir, Tahseen Raisa Binte Benazir and Zahra Zareen Binte Benazir.