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Published : 14 Jun 2025, 02:08 AM
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a man for “trafficking” Bangladeshis to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs and then forcing them to join the Ukraine war.
It said Muhammad Alamgir Hossain, identified as the “ringleader” of a human trafficking network, was picked up from the Chattogram airport area around 9pm on Thursday.
The suspect was later produced before a Dhaka court on Friday, where he gave a “confessional statement”, according to a CID media statement.
Police claim the ring has sent around 50 people to Russia, with at least 11 “coerced” into joining the war.
A CID official told bdnews24.com, “Of the 50 people, 29 were sent under manpower recruitment arrangements.
“The remaining 21 were taken on tourist visas via different agencies, and 11 of them were forced into combat roles.”
Those recruited as manpower were reportedly placed in regular jobs, while the 21 brought in as tourists were allegedly targeted for war deployment.
“Alamgir told us during his confession that while 11 among them were sent to the battlefield, others remain engaged in different types of work,” the official added.
Alamgir resides in Russia with his Russian wife and children. He had returned to his native village in Chattogram’s Lohagara to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with his family.
The CID arrested him shortly before he was set to leave the country again.
His wife and children were released into family custody.
‘SOLD AFTER UMRAH’
According to the CID, members of the racket first sent 10 people to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas, promising them jobs at chocolate factories or as cleaners or cooks with salaries between Tk 200,000 and Tk 250,000 per month.
After performing Umrah, the group was allegedly “sold to Sultan” in Russia, who then handed them over to Russian forces as slaves.
They were reportedly given military training and sent to the battlefield. Those who refused were subjected to “physical and mental abuse”.
The press note mentioned casualties from this trafficking route. Humayun Kabir from Natore’s Singra was killed in combat, while Aminul, idenfied with a single name, from Dhaka’s Keraniganj was critically injured.
One of the 10 Umrah visa holders, Akram Hossain from Narsingdi reportedly escaped from a training camp and returned home on Jan 26.
He later contacted families of other “trafficked” individuals.
Based on Akram’s information, Aminul’s wife Jhumur Akter filed a case at Banani Police Station.
Alamgir was arrested during the investigation into that case.
Earlier, on Feb 5, another member of the ring Fabiha Zerin Tamanna was arrested at Dhaka airport while attempting to flee to Nepal.
The CID said she is a partner at Dream Home Travels and Tours Limited.
According to investigators, the network has sent another 10 people to Saudi Arabia as part of the trafficking scheme. They have refused to go to Russia after learning about the war situation.
Their passports have reportedly been confiscated, leaving them stranded in Saudi Arabia without jobs or a way back home.
