Woman arrested for alleged human trafficking to Russia

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (6 February) arrested a woman for her alleged involvement in human trafficking to Russia.

The woman named Fabiha Zerin Tamanna was apprehended at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while she was trying to flee to Nepal, CID said in a press release.

CID stated that Tamanna is a partner of Dream Home Travels and Tours Limited. She lured 10 individuals with promises of jobs in Russia, offering salaries between Tk2 lakh to Tk2.5 lakh per month in chocolate factories, as cleaners, or as chefs.

"However, the victims were initially sent to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas and then transferred to Russia where they were sold to a Sultan. The Sultan, in turn, sold them as slaves to Russian soldiers."

Instead of providing the promised jobs, the victims were subjected to military training and forced to participate in the war against Ukraine, the release added.

During the investigation, CID came to know that Humayun Kabir of Singra upazila in Natore district was killed in the war and Aminul from Keraniganj, Dhaka, was severely injured.

Among the ten victims, Akram Hossain, 24, of Palash upazila in Narsingdi district, managed to flee the training camp and returned to Bangladesh on 26 January.

After returning, he contacted the families of the other victims.

Based on the information provided by him, Jhumu Akter, wife of war-wounded Aminul, filed a case with Banani Police Station on 4 February.

Following the case, CID arrested Tamanna from Dhaka airport.

After primary interrogation, she admitted her involvement in the criminal activities.

Through the confessional statement, CID also learned that another group of 10 individuals is currently in Saudi Arabia.