Dhaka: Bangladesh’s former air force chief, Sheikh Abdul Hannan, has been arrested in Qatar over corruption charges filed against him at home, officials said on Sunday.
Arrested on October 15
Qatari authorities detained Hannan on October 15, according to Md Akhtarul Islam, Deputy Director of Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC was formally told about the arrest through an email from Interpol.
“We have been informed by Interpol that Qatar’s law enforcement agency detained him there on October 15,” Islam said.
What Is He Accused Of?
According to the ACC, the retired air chief marshal built up assets worth more than Tk 3.28 crore beyond his known sources of income. The commission also says he carried out suspicious transactions worth Tk 27.63 crore through six personal bank accounts.
Based on its findings, the ACC approved the filing of charges in July last year. The charges come under three laws: the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the Money Laundering Prevention Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Wife Also Accused
Hannan’s wife is also an accused in the case. The ACC alleges she gathered more than Tk 1.91 crore in assets beyond her known income, with her husband’s help. Investigators also found suspicious transactions worth Tk 1.18 crore through 32 bank accounts in her name.
Offshore Wealth Allegations
Investigators have traced Hannan’s alleged offshore wealth to Canada and Dubai. They also found assets registered in the names of his children in three different countries.
Court Actions Against Him
In March, a Dhaka court acted on two separate ACC applications and ordered the seizure of the income tax records of Hannan and his wife. A court had also ordered the attachment of two apartments he owns and the freezing of his bank accounts.
The ACC says Hannan managed to leave Bangladesh even though a travel ban and several corruption cases were active against him.
Who Is Sheikh Abdul Hannan?
Hannan joined the Bangladesh Air Force in 1984 as a general duty (GD) pilot. He became the force’s 16th Chief of Air Staff on June 12, 2021, and retired on June 11, 2024.
Another Former Service Chief Under Scrutiny
According to newspaper reports, former navy chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan also faces corruption cases and is currently abroad. However, no court has issued a travel ban against him.
Both men were appointed as service chiefs during the rule of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. Hannan finished his term under that government, while Hassan retired under the later interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
What Next?
It is not yet clear whether Hannan will be sent back to Bangladesh or how long the process could take. The ACC has not said what steps it will take now that he is in custody in Qatar. For now, the allegations are claims made by the anti-corruption body, and Hannan has not been proven guilty in court.
