Crime Desk – Following the arrest of former IGP Benazir Ahmed in the United Arab Emirates, discussions surrounding the international police organization “Interpol” and its “Red Notice” system have resurfaced.
According to Interpol’s latest official data, there are currently 6,444 most-wanted criminals globally, including 60 Bangladeshi nationals.
However, relevant sources reveal that the actual number of Bangladeshis under Interpol Red Notices is significantly higher.
For strategic reasons, the names and photographs of all fugitives are not published on the public website’s wanted list to prevent them from altering their locations.
Nonetheless, all issued Red Notices remain active across the security networks of Interpol’s 196 member countries.
For instance, although a Red Notice was issued for former IGP Benazir, it was not published on the website’s public roster.
Fugitives Wanted by Foreign Nations
A large portion of the Bangladeshis on Interpol’s public list are wanted by various foreign governments. The Government of Singapore is seeking Raju Dhali of Chandpur Sadar in connection with a murder case.
Eswatini, a nation in Southern Africa, is looking for Md. Milon of Dhaka for murder and Liton Bepari for attempted murder. Additionally, South Africa is hunting Mizan Mya of Noakhali on murder charges.
In Europe, Belgium is seeking Khorshed Alam from Lakshmipur. The Malaysian government is pursuing Ala Uddin of Feni for murder and Siraj Mostafa of Natore on smuggling charges.
United States police are tracking Jahidul Islam for crimes including sexual assault, and Fazlul Amin Javed for a weapons-related case. The Maldives is searching for a Bangladeshi national named Hanif over embezzlement allegations.
Meanwhile, the Government of India is seeking Alhaj Md. Shafiqul Islam for a wildlife conservation case, and Azizur Rahman, Ajay Biswas, and Tarikul Islam of Khulna—along with several individuals from Noakhali, Gopalganj, and Narayanganj—for currency counterfeiting.
Fugitives Wanted by the Bangladesh Government
Among those the Bangladesh government is attempting to extradite for serious crimes are the convicted assassins of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Shariful Haque Dalim, Noor Chowdhury, Rashed Chowdhury, and Khandaker Abdur Rashid.
The list also includes top underworld criminals such as Zisan Ahmed, Prokash Kumar, Kala Jahangir, Sajjad Hossain Khan, and Salauddin Mintu.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh government is seeking individuals accused of crimes against humanity, including Zahid Hossain Khokon, Syed Md. Hasan Ali, Abul Kalam Azad, and Syed Md. Hossain.
Other notable figures on the list include former student leader Golam Faruq Ovi (Barishal), Chandan Kumar Roy (Gaibandha), Moslem Uddin Khan (Narsingdi), and Maulana Md. Tajuddin, brother of former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu.
Human Trafficking and Cybercrimes
Law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh are using Interpol to track down Jafor Iqbal, Swapan, Mintu Mia, and Tanjirul from Kishoreganj, alongside Molla Nazrul Islam from Madaripur. These individuals face charges of human trafficking to countries like Libya under false promises of employment, hostage-taking for ransom, and murder.
Additionally, Wasim of Tangail is wanted under the Pornography Control Act, while Amanullah Shafiq and Ataur Rahman of Jamalpur are wanted for fraud.
Founded in 1923, Interpol currently comprises 196 member states. The international organization acts as a coordinator among the police forces of its member nations to combat global crime and bring cross-border fugitives to justice.