Lieutenant General Mohammad Asadullah Minhazul Alam was reportedly withdrawn from his post as commander of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus, UNFICYP, after written complaints about his conduct towards mission officers, according to a report by Northeast News. His return to Bangladesh was officially presented as personal leave, but the outlet’s sources say he was subsequently withdrawn from the mission altogether.
The outlet reports that Minhazul Alam flew back to Dhaka on a commercial flight from Cyprus on the night of September 4, on what was officially described as a three-day period of leave. According to the sources cited by Northeast News, that framing masked what actually followed: his withdrawal from the UN mission in Cyprus.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced Minhazul Alam’s appointment as UNFICYP commander on April 9, when he held the rank of Major General, succeeding Major General Erdenebat Batsuuri of Mongolia. He now holds the rank of Lieutenant General, the report indicates.
According to the report, at the centre of the case are complaints reportedly filed by his aide-de-camp and one other mission officer, concerning “improper” and “harsh” conduct by the commander towards his aide-de-camp. The same sources say the matter was brought before a UN medical or psychiatric service. Northeast News says the written complaint over his conduct towards subordinate officers was what brought the matter to a head.
The case carries particular weight given the position the UNFICYP commander holds, as the senior military officer of the peacekeeping force in Cyprus with responsibility for its military component.
The report also refers to separate complaints concerning administrative facilities or privileges the officer reportedly requested or secured, though the outlet gives no specific details on their nature and does not indicate that any official decision or finding has been issued on this aspect.
Northeast News says it does not have the full content of the complaints and that it is not clear which specific incidents the officers cite. Key questions remain unanswered for now, per the outlet, including the exact content and timing of the complaints, whether a formal UN investigation took place, whether Minhazul Alam was asked to respond, whether any disciplinary or other finding has been made against him, and the reasons behind his departure from Cyprus.
The outlet itself stresses that, until the complaints or any investigation findings are made public, the allegations should be treated as unproven.
