Former President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, has returned to the country after receiving medical treatment abroad, putting to rest speculation that he had fled to avoid legal proceedings. He arrived in Dhaka early Sunday morning, June 9, on Thai Airways flight TG-339.
Landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 1:30 AM, Hamid was seen being taken to the immigration counter in a wheelchair at approximately 1:45 AM.
His immigration process was completed nearly an hour later, and he left the airport around 3:00 AM.
Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Raqib Samad confirmed that Abdul Hamid completed immigration formalities before departing the premises.
Hamid had traveled to Bangkok for medical purposes on May 8 aboard Thai Airways flight TG-340.
However, his sudden departure sparked widespread speculation and political commentary, with some accusing the former president of attempting to escape the country amid a pending murder case.
At the time, immigration and police officials stated that there was no arrest warrant issued against Hamid, and that his travel was strictly for medical reasons.
Nevertheless, an interim government later took disciplinary action against three police officials for alleged negligence in their duties.
The officials include Additional Superintendent of Immigration Police Tahsina Arif, case investigation officer SI Md. Azharul Islam, and SB ATSI Md. Solaiman.
A murder case had been filed against Abdul Hamid on January 14 this year at Kishoreganj Sadar Police Station, linking him to fatal political violence that took place prior to the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024.
The violent unrest, which led to over a thousand deaths, triggered a wave of legal actions against senior leaders of the former ruling party, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Abdul Hamid served as the 20th and 21st President of Bangladesh. Initially assuming office as Acting President in March 2013 following the death of President Zillur Rahman, he was elected unopposed in April of the same year.
He was re-elected in 2018 for a second term and completed his tenure on April 24, 2023, succeeded by current President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
