RAB arrests alleged ringleader of group that held 27 Bangladeshis hostage in Libya
The ringleader Zahid Hossain was arrested yesterday night from his residence in Singara Para, under Raninagar upazila in Naogaon district
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested the alleged mastermind of a human trafficking ring that lured 27 Bangladeshis with promises of jobs in Italy but instead held them hostage in Libya, torturing them and extorting ransom from their families.
"The ringleader Zahid Hossain was arrested yesterday night from his residence in Singara Para, under Raninagar upazila in Naogaon district," RAB-5 Commander Lt Col Mohammad Masud Parvez said at a press briefing today (25 April) at RAB-5 headquarters.
According to the commanding officer, Zahid had been living in Tunisia and Libya, where he would film vineyards and marketplaces, sharing the videos on social media while falsely claiming to be residing in Italy. One of his victims, Yakub Ali from Kurigram district, came across the videos and contacted Zahid, seeking assistance to go to Italy.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
He said, "Zahid promised to take Yakub to Italy in exchange for Tk20 lakh. After receiving an initial payment of Tk5 lakh, Zahid arranged for Yakub and 26 others to fly to Dubai on 24 September 2023.
"From there, they were flown to Niger and then taken to Algeria. Upon arrival in Algeria, local police arrested the entire group, and they were detained for 21 days."
The officer further said after their release, the victims were taken to Libya via Tunisia, where Zahid and a 10-member gang held them hostage in a house. "They tortured the victims and took nude photos and videos, which they sent to the families in Bangladesh to demand ransom. They extorted approximately Tk50 lakh through various means."
The matter gained media attention in Bangladesh, prompting the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya to intervene. Eventually, Yakub and the other victims were rescued and repatriated, he added.
Meanwhile, Zahid returned to Bangladesh. Acting on a tip-off, RAB arrested him and handed over to Kurigram police for further legal proceedings, the officer said.
Earlier this year, Yakub filed a case with Kurigram Sadar Police Station.
