The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received allegations that a Bangladeshi syndicate is trafficking individuals to Russia, where they are being forced to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war -- a matter the government is investigating.
Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, director general of the Public Diplomacy Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also a spokesperson for the ministry, on Sunday told journalists: "We have learned that a Bangladeshi agency has sent several Bangladeshis to Russia and various European countries by promising them jobs. At some point, they were forced to join the Russia-Ukraine war."
Rafiqul said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already requested the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow to provide detailed information on the matter.
"At the same time, we have urged the relevant ministries of the government to investigate the issue and take appropriate action against the recruiting and travel agencies involved in such activities," he added.
"We have already learned that one individual involved in human trafficking to Russia was arrested last week."
Additionally, he noted that the authorities have been requested to exercise special caution at the country's international airports for Bangladeshi citizens travelling to Russia on tourist visas or those with valid visas on their passports amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The MoFA director general cited a previous case where a Bangladeshi named Solaiman Kabir fell victim to human traffickers and was forced to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Later, he managed to escape from the battlefield and took refuge at the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow, which arranged for his repatriation.
Rafiqul said if any other Bangladeshis reach out to the embassy for assistance, necessary steps will be taken to facilitate their return to Bangladesh.
