Key Takeaways
- A 62-year-old Canadian man, Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman, has been arrested and charged with child abduction after allegedly fleeing Canada with his five-year-old son over two years ago.
- The suspect is accused of extensive planning, including purchasing property overseas, acquiring multiple passports, and using forged documents to evade detection.
- The Calgary Police Service worked with international authorities, including Interpol and the RCMP, to track down the suspect and reunite the boy with his mother.
- The suspect has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on January 21, 2026.
- The case highlights the complexity and challenges of investigating international child abductions, and the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies across borders.
Introduction to the Case
The Calgary Police Service has announced the arrest and charging of a 62-year-old man, Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman, with child abduction, following a lengthy and complex investigation. The suspect is accused of fleeing Canada with his five-year-old son over two years ago, without the mother’s permission. According to investigators, the man had planned the abduction extensively, purchasing property overseas, acquiring multiple passports, and using forged documents to evade detection. The case has been described as "very complex" by Sgt. Scott Mizibrocky of the CPS Domestic Violence Team, due to the suspect’s frequent movements with the boy, including visits to several countries such as Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Vanuatu.
The Investigation
The investigation into the child abduction began on December 3, 2023, when the suspect took his son from Calgary to Montreal, and then on to Turkey. The boy’s mother reported the incident to the police, and an investigation was launched to locate the suspect and reunite the boy with his family. The police worked tirelessly to track down the suspect, following a trail of clues and gathering evidence. Sgt. Mizibrocky noted that the suspect had the resources to travel abroad and obtain numerous passports, making it challenging to track him down. The police also believed that the suspect had created a new identity for his son, further complicating the investigation.
International Cooperation
The Calgary Police Service worked closely with international authorities, including the RCMP, Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Central Authority, and Interpol, to track down the suspect. An international arrest warrant was issued for the suspect, and Interpol was notified to flag the boy and his father. On December 16, 2025, the suspect and the boy were spotted and detained by police at an airport in Mauritius. The Mauritius authorities played a crucial role in apprehending the suspect, and Sgt. Mizibrocky praised their support and cooperation. The suspect was held in custody until Calgary police could attend and take custody of him.
Reunion and Charges
On December 20, 2025, the boy’s mother arrived in Mauritius and was reunited with her son for the first time in over two years. The mother and son returned to Calgary together the following day. The suspect, Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman, was escorted by CPS officers back to Calgary, where he was charged with one count of parental child abduction. Rahman, a Canadian citizen born in Pakistan, has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for January 21, 2026. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting child abductions, and the need for law enforcement agencies to work together to bring perpetrators to justice.
Conclusion
The arrest and charging of Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman bring closure to a complex and emotionally challenging case. The Calgary Police Service’s efforts to track down the suspect and reunite the boy with his mother demonstrate the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting child abductions. The case also highlights the importance of international cooperation and the need for law enforcement agencies to work together to prevent and investigate child abductions. As the case proceeds through the courts, it is hoped that justice will be served, and the boy and his family will be able to heal and move forward.
