RAB has arrested two accused in Bangladesh in connection with the death of eight Bangladeshis in Tunisian waters while crossing the Mediterranean Sea illegally from Libya and entering Italy about two months ago.
They are; Yuvraj Kazi (24), son of Mosharraf Kazi, the main leader of the Libya-based international human-trafficking Bangladesh syndicate, and Kamal Sheikh (38), brother of another leader, Rahim Sheikh. They were arrested from Maksudpur of Gopalganj district.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Airport Zone Asma Akhtar Sonia told Banner on Monday, “RAB has handed over the two arrested persons to the airport police station. They are in police custody and will be produced in court.”
They were arrested two days after filing a case under Section 302/34 of Organized Crime and Prevention of Human Trafficking Act on April 19.
A copy of the preliminary information statement and affidavit of the case came into Benner’s hands. Sunil Bairagi, father of Sajal Bairagi, filed the case at Airport Police Station.
The affected family members said that Musharraf Qazi and Rahim Sheikh stayed in Libya. There are their addresses, where migrants from Bangladesh are detained and used for human trafficking.
Their relatives collected money locally in Madaripur, Gopalganj and other nearby districts by telling people to send them to Italy and sent them illegally to Europe. Many of them lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea.
Last February 14, a trawler carrying 53 illegal immigrants, including 34 Bangladeshis, sank in Tunisian waters. Although eight Bangladeshis were killed in that incident, 26 Bangladeshis survived, most of whom are residents of Madaripur district.
Eight killed are Bangladeshis; Mamun Sheikh, Sajal Bairagi, Nayan Biswas, Rifat Sheikh, Sajeeb Kazi, Imrul Kayes Apon, Md. Kaiser and Russell Sheikh.
Allegations of the case are as stated
In the statement, Sunil Bairagi alleged that his son Sajal Bairagi was willing to go to Italy in the hope of a better life.
Sajal’s former acquaintance Yuvraj Kazi (24) and Mosharraf Kazi, who is staying in Libya, offered to send him to Italy legally in exchange of Tk 14 lakh. Sajal Bairagi and his family agreed to this proposal.
With the consent of both parties, on November 17 last year, Sajal gave two and a half lakh taka and passport to Yuvraj Kazi’s residence in Gopalganj. He was taken to Shahjalal International Airport on December 30.
Before entering the airport, Yuvraj Kazi took another five lakh cash from Sajal before getting out of the car. He left for Dubai at six in the morning on December 31.
Father Sunil Bairagi went to Gopalganj’s house on January 8 and gave another six and a half lakh taka to Yuvraj Kazi. But since then Sunil could not contact his son.
After that, he came to know in the media that Sajal was among the eight Bangladeshis who were killed in a trawler traveling from Libya to Italy between 11:30 pm and 4:00 am on February 14.
He alleged that Yuvraj Kazi, Musharraf Kazi, Rahim Sheikh, Kamal Sheikh and about 20 others with mutual connivance smuggled the victims out of Bangladesh illegally in exchange of huge amount of money by luring them for a better life. Knowing that they would surely die, they put them in a small boat in the rough sea and drowned them in the water.
The victim’s experience
Bulu Sheikh (40) of Madaripur was the passenger of the boat that was involved in the accident. “We were taken to the Libyan coast around 9pm,” he told Benar on Monday. Everyone is asked to board a small boat. We refused to get up. But I was forced to get up later.”
Bulu Sheikh said, “Maximum 15 to 20 people can board that boat. There were 53 people including 34 Bangladeshis. Among them were eight Pakistanis and two Sudanese nationals.”
He said, “The eight people who died, including Sajal, were tied and put in a plastic bag under the deck of the boat. There were large containers of diesel in that chamber.”
Bulu Sheikh said, “After six to seven hours, the boat began to sink. Then all of us who were sitting on the floor jumped into the water. I floated by the part of the boat that was floating. Throw more than 30 diesel containers from the boat so that we can float.”
He said, “The Tunisian coast guard rescued us. Then came back to Bangladesh with the help of IOM.”
Sajib Sheikh, the brother of Mamun Sheikh, who was killed in that boat, said on Monday, “RAB has arrested two people. They also took Rs 14 lakh from us.”
He said, “After that incident, I asked them to return the money. But they refused to refund the money. He said, the money has been spent.”
Sajib Sheikh said, “They said, I will spend 50 lakhs on the police station. But I will not give you a single rupee, do what you can.”
Why Madaripur?
Syed Saiful Haque, head of Warby Development Foundation, told Benar that most of the Bangladeshis living in Italy are residents of Madaripur district.
He said, “It can be said that there is a great tendency of people in this region to go to Italy illegally. They know they can die. Still the situation is not changing.”
Saiful Haque said, “People who have been able to go to Italy illegally are encouraged by others and traffickers take advantage of this great interest of people.
The body has not been brought yet
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Libya A.H.M. Khairul Bashar told Benar that the bodies of eight Bangladeshis are kept in the Tunisian morgue.
He said, “We hope that the bodies will reach Bangladesh by the end of this month or the first week of next month. The reason why it takes time to send the bodies is that we do not have a resident embassy in Tunisia. I have to leave Libya and work.”
The ambassador said, “The government has taken a tough stand against these Libya-based international human traffickers. Because of them, the image of Bangladesh is getting damaged in the international arena. We are also working with the Libyan government. Let’s see how to destroy their network.”
Tags: Bangladeshis died Mediterranean Sea arrested including smugglers son
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