Calgary Doctor in Global Abduction Case Replaces Legal TeamThe high-profile case of Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman, the Calgary psychiatrist accused of fleeing the country with his young son, has taken a new turn. During a court appearance on February 18, 2026, Rahman officially dropped his previous counsel to hire a new lawyer.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Background: A Two-Year Manhunt
Rahman’s arrest in late 2025 ended an international search that spanned several continents. The timeline of the case highlights the complexity of the flight:
- December 2023: Rahman allegedly took his five-year-old son from Calgary to Montreal, then Turkey.
- The Route: Evidence suggests the pair moved through Russia, Azerbaijan, and Vanuatu.
- The Capture: He was finally apprehended in Mauritius in December 2025 and extradited back to Canada in January 2026.
The Legal & Financial Stakes
- Audit Issues: At the time he fled, Rahman was under investigation by Alberta Health for a $1.6 million overpayment.
- Asset Movement: Prosecutors allege he moved roughly $900,000 out of the country and purchased real estate in Turkey.
- Flight Risk: Because Rahman holds multiple passports (Canada, Turkey, Pakistan, and Vanuatu), a judge recently denied bail, fearing he would disappear again.
The Impact on the Child
The most tragic element of the case involves Rahman’s son, now seven years old. While the boy was reunited with his mother in December 2025, the court was told the child has suffered severe parental alienation and was allegedly manipulated to fear his mother during the two years they were abroad.
