Police Detain Broker in Fatal Human Trafficking Case

A tragic tale of human trafficking has emerged from Sirajganj, where a 23-year-old college student, Swadhin Rakib Hossain, was allegedly murdered by a broker and his accomplices while being illegally smuggled to Italy. Family members are left grieving, demanding justice, as locals gather daily outside their home.

On Saturday, 20 December, relatives of the victim arrested the accused broker, Abul Kalam Azad, and handed him over to the police for investigation.

Swadhin, the son of Golam Kibria Firoz, hailed from Islampur Bhutgacha village in Borhar Union, Ullapara Upazila. The accused broker, Abul Kalam Azad, resides in Ghiala village, Purnimagati Union of the same upazila.

Firoz stated that Azad’s elder son, Saddam, was already in Italy, and his younger son Zakaria, along with Swadhin, was proposed to be sent there by Azad. Agreeing to the plan, Firoz paid Azad 2.5 million taka. On 22 May, Swadhin and Zakaria left Bangladesh via the airport, initially travelling to Chennai, India, and subsequently to Dubai, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and finally Libya.

Firoz alleged that during the journey, Azad demanded an additional 1 million taka in two instalments, citing that Swadhin had been detained and was in prison. After reaching Sri Lanka, Zakaria was separated from Swadhin.

On 12 November, brokers attempted to send 122 people from Libya to Italy by trawler. Midway, the vessel partially sank, prompting the traffickers to reportedly beat and kill 97 individuals, including Swadhin, throwing their bodies into the sea. Firoz confirmed the death after speaking to seven survivors from Madaripur who returned to Bangladesh on 18 December.

Despite repeated pleas for his son’s body, Abul Kalam Azad ignored the family. The Firoz family spent further money searching for Swadhin, ultimately apprehending the broker themselves on 20 December, and have now pursued legal action.

Swadhin’s mother, Nargis Khatun, emotionally recounted that her son had completed HSC and enrolled in a BA class. “Swadhin and Zakaria were friends. I trusted them to go to Italy together, but they killed my son and threw him into the sea. I never got to see his body. We demand justice for the perpetrators,” she said, holding a photograph of her son.

Rupu Kar, Investigation Officer of Ullapara Police Station, confirmed on Saturday evening that Abul Kalam Azad had been handed over to the police, is in custody, and is being interrogated. Preparations for legal action are underway.

Key Facts at a Glance

The case highlights the deadly risks of illegal human trafficking and has drawn local attention to the urgent need for stricter monitoring and enforcement against brokers exploiting vulnerable individuals.