12 Sunamganj youths held hostage in Libya after being lured to Italy

At least 12 Bangladeshis, including 10 youths from the same village in Jamalganj upazila of Sunamganj, have reportedly been held hostage and tortured by a mafia gang in Libya while attempting to migrate illegally to Italy. Another member of the group has been detained by Libyan police, family members said.

Sources said a total of 13 people left home on January 28 after paying traffickers Tk13–14 lakh each with hopes of finding jobs in Italy. They were reportedly taken to Libya through Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Egypt.
Relatives said the group was taken hostage in the Libyan capital Tripoli on 25 February. The captors have allegedly been torturing them and demanding ransom from their families.

The kidnappers are reportedly making WhatsApp video calls to families showing the victims being tortured and demanding Tk26 lakh per person. After negotiations, the gang reportedly agreed to release them if Tk12 lakh each is paid.

Of the hostages, 10 are residents of Nazimnagar village in Fenarbank union of Jamalganj upazila. They are Monirul Islam, Ataur Rahman, Shafiqul Islam, Niloy Mia, Enamul Haque, Jibon Mia, Abdul Qayyum, Ataur Rahman, Aminul Islam and Mamun Mia. Yasin Mia has been detained by Libyan police.

Two others, Abul Hamza of Teliapara and Abul Kalam of Sachna village, are also among the hostages. One of the traffickers, Sohel Mia from Dohalia village in Doarabazar upazila, had travelled with them.

Family members said the victims had reached a verbal agreement with alleged brokers Dilawara Begum, her son Humayun Kabir and son-in-law Nazrul Islam of Nazimnagar village to arrange the journey.

Shafiqul Islam’s father Rashid Ali said he sold land to send his son abroad. “I am sick and have no money left. Now I rely only on Allah,” he said.

Fenarbank Union Parishad member Ekram Hossain said the families are living in extreme anxiety.

Jamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bande Ali said no formal complaint has yet been filed, while Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mushfiqun Noor said steps will be taken after investigation.