Bangladeshi trafficking victim rescued from Libya, repatriated after international operation

A Bangladeshi man who was allegedly trafficked to Libya with false promises of being sent to Italy has been rescued and repatriated through a joint international operation involving Bangladeshi and Libyan authorities.

The victim was brought home through the coordinated efforts of Bangladesh Police Headquarters, Interpol and the National Central Bureau (NCB) of the Libyan Police, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pekua Police Station Mehdi Hasan.   

According to police, the returnee, Nabidul Islam Fahim, 23, also known as Bappu, is from Banglapara area under Pekua municipality of Cox’s Bazar.  

According to Fahim’s family, an organised human trafficking network convinced him in July 2024 to travel abroad with promises of employment opportunities and a better life in Italy.

Instead, he was taken to Libya, where traffickers allegedly held him captive and demanded a large ransom from his family.

Under pressure from the traffickers, the family paid Tk36 lakh in three instalments. Despite receiving the money, the syndicate allegedly continued demanding additional payments, prompting the family to seek help from law enforcement agencies.

During his captivity, Fahim was reportedly subjected to physical and mental abuse and forced to live in inhumane conditions.

In November 2025, Fahim’s mother filed a case with Pekua Police Station against 12 suspected members of the trafficking network. Police subsequently arrested six accused individuals as part of the investigation.

“Based on information obtained from the arrested suspects and subsequent investigations, Bangladeshi authorities sought international cooperation to trace and rescue the victim,” OC Mehdi Hasan said.

He added that Bangladesh Police Headquarters, Interpol and the Libyan NCB worked together to locate Fahim and facilitate his return home.

Police said the investigation into the trafficking network remains ongoing and that further legal action will be taken against those found involved in the crime.