Members of the criminal investigation department of police have arrested a member of a human trafficking gang at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
A team of CID arrested Fabiha Jerin Tamanna at the airport while she was trying to flee to Nepal Wednesday night, said Jashim Uddin, special superintendent of police (media) of CID on Thursday.
When briefing, police said that Jerin was a partner of Dream Home Travels and Tours Ltd and an active member of a human trafficking gang.
The gang used to lure people with the promise of good jobs in Russia. Then they were handed over to Russian soldiers as slaves. Instead of promised jobs, they were given military training and forced to fight in the war against Ukraine.
Those who resisted were subjected to physical and mental abuse, including being deprived of food in an attempt to break their mental will. Besides, they were forced to participate in the war against Ukraine.
During the investigation, CID came to know that Humayun Kabir of Singra upazila in Natore was killed in the war and Aminul from Keraniganj, Dhaka, was severely injured.
Among the victims, Akram Hossain, 24, of Palash upazila in Narsingdi, managed to flee the training camp and returned to Bangladesh on January 26. After returning, he contacted the families of the other victims.
Based on the information provided by him, Jhumu Akter, wife of war-wounded Aminul, filed a case with Banani police station on February 2.
Following the case, CID arrested Jerin from Dhaka airport.
After primary interrogation, Jerin admitted her involvement in the criminal activities.
Through the confessional statement, CID also learned that another group of 10 individuals was then in Saudi Arabia.