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Bangladesh arrests two over alleged job offers leading to Russia’s war

Bangladeshi police announced two arrests in an investigation into alleged trafficking through false job offers in Russia. A security commander said workers were handed to the Russian military after arrival, with documents confiscated and some returning injured. The account concerns alleged recruitment for the Ukraine war; the military assignments have not been independently verified.

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A rear-facing uniformed officer escorts a civilian through a courtyard with a Bangladesh flag.

Police announce arrests in the trafficking case

Bangladeshi security officials said people promised well-paid civilian jobs in Russia were instead handed to the Russian military and sent into the war in Ukraine. The allegations form part of a human trafficking investigation.[1], [2]

Police announced on 14 October that two suspects, Mizanur Rahman and Abu Taher, had been arrested. Mohammad Asaduzzaman, commander of Bangladesh’s Special Response Battalion security force, said at least 30 Bangladeshis had travelled to Russia after receiving job offers. The announced arrests concern suspected involvement in the network; neither suspect has been established guilty by a court.[1]

Documents were seized after arrival, police allege

According to Asaduzzaman, victims’ passports and phones were confiscated after arrival. They were handed to the military rather than given the civilian jobs they had been promised. He said they lacked military experience, physical preparation and combat skills before being sent to the front. Those accounts of military assignments have not been independently verified.[1]

Injured returnees are part of the investigation

Police commander Asaduzzaman said two injured men had returned to Bangladesh and some survivors remained in Russia. Asaduzzaman described a returned victim’s serious injuries and need for treatment. The investigation concerns overseas employment promises directed at people facing economic hardship. Bangladeshi families have described relatives departing for civilian work before being diverted into military roles during Russia’s war in Ukraine.[1]

References

  1. News sourceAl JazeeraBangladesh arrests two over alleged recruitment for Russia’s war↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceThe Daily StarBangladesh force alleges job seekers were trafficked into Russia’s army↩
Russia-Ukraine war

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