Illegal journey to Italy: 2 return for ransom of 1.28 crore taka

In the hope of changing their fate, Altaf and Ahsan of Shariatpur sold their land for 1.6 lakh taka, leaving their home with the dream of going to Italy. They have returned with the burden of debt and painful memories of horrific torture. In this incident, they had to pay a ransom of 1.28 crore taka.

The victims alleged that they were cheated by local broker Harun Laskar and his son Emon Laskar and lost everything. They were kept in Sri Lanka for a month after traveling through India. Then they were taken to Benghazi, Libya via Dubai and Egypt. They were sold to the mafia. There, they were held captive and tortured inhumanly for ransom. After paying a ransom of 6.4 lakh taka each, the two returned to the country on May 7.

Ahsan Ullah and Altaf Hossain said that they were beaten and tortured inhumanly while they were held captive. They still shudder when they remember these memories.

The victim’s family and locals said that a local man lured them to Italy and hired a member of a broker’s gang named Harun Laskar. Emon Laskar took them to Libya with the help of mafia and human traffickers to collect the ransom. Even though the son was returned alive with the money brought in exchange for land sale and interest, the family is spending their days in worry due to pressure from creditors.

However, Harun Laskar has denied these allegations. He said that he did not take any money. He also said that there is no evidence in these matters.

Although several people have been arrested in this incident, several members of the human trafficking gang are still active in the district. Stating that no one will be spared, Shariatpur Superintendent of Police Md. Nazrul Islam said that some gangs are doing this work. Intelligence surveillance against them is continuing.

According to police and media information, at least 24 youths from Shariatpur are still missing after illegally going to Italy via Libya.