Sheikh Abdul Hannan arrested in Qatar over corruption allegations

Sheikh Abdul Hannan, the former Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, has been arrested in Qatar on October 15 following allegations of corruption and money laundering. The arrest was confirmed by Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after receiving notification from Interpol.

Investigators allege that Hannan amassed assets worth more than Tk 3.28 crore beyond his known sources of income and conducted suspicious transactions totaling Tk 27.63 crore through six personal bank accounts. The investigation also involves his wife, who is accused of amassing over Tk 1.91 crore in unexplained assets and conducting suspicious transactions through 32 bank accounts.

Authorities have traced alleged offshore wealth to Canada and Dubai, and have identified assets registered to his children in three different nations. Hannan, who served as air chief from June 2021 to June 2024, reportedly left Bangladesh despite an active travel ban. The ACC is currently coordinating with the Bangladesh Home and Foreign Ministries to facilitate his return to face charges under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act and the Money Laundering Prevention Act.