Former Air Force chief Hannan arrested in Qatar over graft allegations

photo: collected

Former Bangladesh Air Force chief Shaikh Abdul Hannan, who faces two corruption cases involving alleged illegal wealth acquisition and money laundering, has been arrested in Qatar, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said.

ACC Deputy Director Md Akhtarul Islam told media on Sunday that he could not confirm when, how or which authority had arrested Hannan.

He said he had not received detailed information about the arrest and that the ACC secretary would provide further details at an upcoming news conference.

The ACC filed two cases against Hannan and his wife, Tahmida Begum, on July 27, 2025, over alleged illegal wealth acquisition and money laundering.

ACC Deputy Director Md Tanzir Hasib Sarkar filed the cases at the commission's Integrated District Office, Dhaka-1.

On the day the cases were filed, ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain told reporters that investigators had found evidence suggesting Hannan had acquired assets worth Tk 32.85 million inconsistent with his known sources of income.

The commission also identified suspicious transactions totalling Tk 276.37 million through six bank accounts in his name.

The ACC alleged that Hannan acquired the assets through abuse of power and criminal misconduct and concealed the sources of the money through suspicious banking transactions. The case cited provisions of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

In the second case, the ACC accused Tahmida of acquiring assets worth Tk 19.19 million beyond her known sources of income.

The commission also identified suspicious transactions totalling Tk 11.82 million across 32 bank accounts in her name. It alleged that she acquired the assets with her husband's assistance and named Hannan as a co-accused.

Investigators also obtained information about Hannan's businesses and assets abroad, including in Qatar and Dubai. The ACC sought information about assets held in his children's names in Canada, saying the details would be verified during the investigation.

On May 5, 2025, a court barred Hannan, his wife and their son, Shaikh Labib Hannan, from travelling abroad while the corruption allegations were investigated.

The following day, the court ordered the seizure of Hannan's land, house and three flats, as well as the freezing of six bank accounts, following an ACC application.

On May 24, 2025, a court ordered the freezing of 38 bank accounts held by Hannan, his wife and son.

On November 11, 2025, the court ordered the seizure of two flats registered in the name of Hannan's associate, Sanjida Akhter, and the freezing of 10 bank accounts. The ACC alleged that Hannan had purchased the flats in her name to conceal illegally acquired wealth.

On March 30, 2026, the court ordered the seizure of income tax documents belonging to Hannan and his wife following a separate application by the ACC.

On September 20, the court ordered the attachment of 34% of a plot of land registered in Hannan's name in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat district. The ACC said the land had a deed value of Tk 1.76 million.

Hannan took charge as air force chief on June 12, 2021, during the government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. He retired on June 11, 2024.

Hasina's government fell on August 5, 2024, following a student-led mass uprising.