Calgary Man Faces Child Abduction Charges After Two-Year International Search
Calgary police have formally charged a man with child abduction following an exhaustive two-year international investigation that spanned multiple continents. The case, which involved extensive planning and international coordination, culminated in the arrest of the suspect and the safe return of the child to his mother.
Details of the Abduction and Investigation
According to Calgary Police Service Sgt. Scott Mizibrocky of the domestic violence team, the incident began on November 29, 2023, when a man took his five-year-old son from the home of his estranged common-law wife. Four days later, the pair traveled from Calgary to Montreal before fleeing to Turkey, where the father immediately severed all contact with the child's mother and three other siblings.
Police involvement began on December 7, 2023, nearly four days after the departure from Canada. The mother became aware of the situation when she contacted the school, which had been notified by the father that the child would no longer be attending.
Extensive Planning and International Movement
Evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that the abduction was meticulously planned. The suspect had:
- Purchased property overseas
- Acquired new passports
- Relied on forged documents
- Attempted to create a new identity for his son
Over the next two years, police tracked the suspect's movements through multiple countries, including Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Vanuatu. The search involved coordination between Calgary Police Service, RCMP, Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Central Authority, and Interpol.
Arrest and Reunion
The breakthrough came on December 16, 2025, when the suspect was spotted at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius with his son. Customs officials identified the child through Interpol alerts, and authorities detained the father who was also subject to a Red Notice from Canada.
By December 20, 2025, the now seven-year-old boy was reunited with his mother in Mauritius after more than two years of separation. They returned together to Calgary the following day.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
The suspect, identified as 62-year-old Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman, a Canadian citizen who studied medicine in Pakistan and practiced in Canada, faces one count of parental child abduction. Police continue to investigate the motive behind the abduction and whether the suspect received assistance in Canada or overseas during the planning and execution of the crime.
Sgt. Mizibrocky confirmed that the child is doing well since his return, having been reacquainted with his siblings and family, and is now registered back in school. The case highlights the complexities of international child abduction investigations and the importance of coordinated law enforcement efforts across borders.
