A group of 176 Bangladeshis, who were detained, abused, and in some cases kidnapped in Libya after traveling there illegally, have returned home.
They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday morning around 9:45 am via a Burak Air flight. Their repatriation was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to the Foreign Ministry, 172 of the returnees had been held at the Tajura Detention Center in Tripoli, while four had been staying at IOM shelters. Most had traveled to Libya illegally, often lured or assisted by human traffickers, intending to reach Europe by sea. During their time in Libya, many experienced abduction, physical abuse, and other forms of mistreatment.
After their return, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the public to be cautious and warned against traveling to Libya via such dangerous routes.
The IOM provided each returnee with financial support of 6,000 BDT, along with food, medical care, and temporary accommodation as needed.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli stated that it continues to work closely with local authorities and the IOM to ensure the safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained in various Libyan detention centers.
