Former Bangladesh Air Force Chief Arrested: Who is Sheikh Abdul Hannan? What did Interpol report? | Today’s news
Bangladesh’s former chief of air staff, Sheikh Abdul Hannan, has been arrested in Qatar on corruption charges in his home country, with the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) saying it was informed of his detention through Interpol.
Hannan, who served as the 16th chief of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) from June 2021 to June 2024, was detained by Qatari authorities on October 15, ACC Deputy Director Md Akhtarul Islam said on Sunday (October 19).
“Interpol informed us that he was detained there by the Qatari law enforcement agency on October 15,” Islam said.
The former Air Force chief is accused of amassing assets beyond his known sources of income and conducting suspicious financial transactions through multiple bank accounts. The allegations are under investigation and the allegations have not been proven as proven crimes.
What did Interpol inform Bangladesh about?
According to the ACC, Interpol formally notified the anti-graft agency of Hannan’s detention in Qatar via email. The communication informed the commission that Qatari law enforcement authorities detained him on October 15.
The announcement comes amid an investigation into allegations that Hannan amassed assets disproportionate to his declared sources of income and engaged in suspicious financial transactions.
The ACC said it had approved the filing of charges against him in July 2025 under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to the commission, Hannan allegedly amassed assets worth more than Bangladeshi taka (Tk) 3.28 million beyond his known sources of income. Investigators also uncovered suspicious transactions of Tk 27.63 crore through six personal bank accounts.
The ACC claims that Hannan managed to leave Bangladesh despite an active travel ban and numerous corruption cases against him.
The detention in Qatar follows earlier legal action in Bangladesh, including a court order to attach two apartments belonging to the former air force chief and freeze his bank accounts.
What are the charges against Sheikh Abdul Hannan and his wife?
The ACC investigation also named Hannan’s wife as an accused in the case.
According to the commission, she allegedly amassed assets worth more than Tk 1.91 crore with the help of her husband outside her known sources of income. Investigators also identified suspicious transactions of Tk 1.18 million through 32 bank accounts in her name.
The commission reportedly traced Hannan’s alleged offshore wealth to Canada and Dubai. It also identified assets registered in the names of his children in three countries.
Who is Sheikh Abdul Hannan?
Sheikh Abdul Hannan is a retired four-star air officer who served as the 16th Chief of the Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force. Inducted into service on 14 July 1984 as a general duty pilot.
During his military career, Hannan served in several operational, training and leadership roles. He is an “A” category pilot and a qualified flight instructor. He also had specialist qualifications related to the MI-17/171 helicopter fleet.
His professional education included training at the Defense Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur, Bangladesh, and the Pakistan Air Force Air War College, where he graduated in 1999. He later completed a Masters in National Security and War Studies at the Pakistan National Defense University, Islamabad.
Hannan also served in United Nations peacekeeping missions. He was part of the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995 and led the Bangladesh Air Force contingent in the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2006–2007.
When did Sheikh Abdul Hannan become Bangladesh Air Force Chief?
Thereafter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appointed Hannan as the Chief of the Air Staff in June 2021. He formally assumed command on 12 June 2021, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat.
Hannan served a three-year term and retired on 11 June 2024. His tenure began and ended during a period of political transition in Bangladesh, with his retirement occurring before the establishment of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Hannan was appointed during the Hasina-led Awami League government, which was later removed from power.
