The commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Lieutenant General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam, has reportedly been withdrawn from the mission and returned to Bangladesh following allegations regarding his conduct.
According to a report by Northeast News, the head of UNFICYP's military component was removed from the mission after a written complaint was lodged concerning his behaviour towards his aide-de-camp.
Minhazul Alam reportedly returned to Dhaka on 4 September aboard a commercial flight from Cyprus. His presence in Bangladesh was initially described as a personal visit on three days' leave. However, the report claims that a decision was subsequently taken to withdraw him from the UN mission.
Complaints filed by aide and another officer
According to the report, the allegations were submitted by the commander's aide-de-camp and another officer serving within the mission.
The complaints were reportedly referred to a UN medical or psychiatric service and involved allegations of behaviour described as incompatible with military standards.
Among the claims were allegations of harsh and inappropriate conduct towards his aide-de-camp.
The report also refers to allegations that Minhazul Alam sought or obtained administrative privileges beyond those normally permitted and took excessive measures in relation to those arrangements.
However, no details have been made public regarding the nature of the alleged privileges, and there has been no confirmation that any formal disciplinary action has been taken.
Questions remain over investigation
The publication notes that it has not obtained the full content of the complaints and that specific details concerning the alleged incidents remain unclear.
As a result, it is not known whether the United Nations conducted a formal investigation, whether the commander was asked to respond to the allegations, or whether any findings have been issued.
It also remains unclear whether his return to Bangladesh was directly linked to the complaints or the result of a separate administrative decision.
Among the unanswered questions are when the complaints were filed, their exact content, whether a UN inquiry took place and whether the Bangladesh Army intends to take any action.
Appointed only five months ago
UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced Minhazul Alam's appointment as UNFICYP Force Commander on 9 April, succeeding Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri of Mongolia.
Before taking up his duties in Cyprus, he held senior positions within the Bangladesh military, including roles in the Army Training and Doctrine Command and the 10th Infantry Division.
The case has attracted attention because the force commander is the highest-ranking military officer within the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus and is responsible for its entire military component.
