Ex-Air Force chief Hannan arrested in Qatar

Former Bangladesh Air Force chief Air Vice Marshal (retd) Sheikh Abdul Hannan has been arrested in Qatar in connection with two corruption cases involving allegations of illicit wealth accumulation and money laundering, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has said.

Hannan was arrested by Qatari police on October 15, and Interpol subsequently confirmed his arrest to the ACC by email, commission Secretary Saidur Rahman Khan said.

The ACC filed the cases against Hannan and his wife, Tahmida Begum, on July 27, 2025, following an investigation into allegations that they had accumulated wealth beyond their known sources of income and conducted suspicious financial transactions. ACC Deputy 

Director Md Tanzir Hasib Sarkar filed the two cases at the agency's Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1, as the plaintiff.

On that day, ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain told reporters that the investigation found information that Hannan had acquired assets of Tk 32.85 million that were inconsistent with his known income.
In addition, suspicious transactions of Tk 276.37 million were conducted through six bank accounts in his name.

The ACC alleged that the former air force chief acquired these assets through abuse of power and criminal misconduct. The case also alleged that he concealed the source of the money through suspicious bank transactions.

A case was filed against him under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

In another case, Hannan's wife Tahmida was accused of acquiring assets worth Tk 19. 19 million beyond known income sources. The ACC said it had also received information about suspicious transactions of Tk 11.82 million in 32 bank accounts under her name.

The case alleged that Tahmida acquired these assets with the help of her husband. Along with Tahmida, Hannan was also named as an accused in the case.

The ACC investigation also revealed that it had obtained information about Hannan's businesses and assets abroad, including in Qatar and Dubai.