Mayor Akhtaruzaman arrested after clash at Dhaka airport following Saudi flight arrival
Mayor Akhtaruzaman was taken into custody by Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Friday evening, October 2, 2026, after a disturbance at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport when Saudi Arabian flight BI-338 from Medina landed, causing luggage delays and passenger frustration. The airport’s executive director, Captain SM Ragib Samad, was summoned by MP Mohammad Kamal Hossain to defuse the situation, but was verbally and physically threatened by the mayor, who also threatened the aviation and tourism minister. Police arrested the mayor around 6 pm after a case was filed by airport security officer Mo1
The incident highlights security and operational challenges at the airport, as the mayor’s actions disrupted normal passenger processing and prompted police intervention, underscoring the need for clear protocols when handling crowd tension and protecting airport officials.1