Tragic End to Italian Dream as Bangladeshi Youth Shot Dead in Libya

A Bangladeshi painter seeking a better life in Europe has been murdered in Libya by human traffickers after his family paid 6,000,000 BDT in ransom, only for the criminal syndicate to execute him over further demands.

The victim, identified as Sohag Munshi, hailed from Majumdarkandi village under Rajoir upazila in Madaripur district. Though the fatal shooting reportedly occurred on 24 July, confirmation reached his family on Wednesday before details emerged publicly on Thursday, 30 July.

Hoping to secure a prosperous future in Italy, Sohag fell target to local brokers Moyna Akhtar and Julhas Sardar. His family paid an initial 2,200,000 BDT under the promise of safe passage to Europe. Sohag departed Bangladesh in September 2025, travelling via Saudi Arabia before being moved to Tripoli, Libya, where an armed human trafficking network held him captive.

The traffickers subjected Sohag to relentless physical torture, sending distressing video recordings to his family to compel payment. Driven by desperation, the family transferred an additional 3,800,000 BDT in several installments. After taking a further 200,000 BDT under the guise of sending him back to Bangladesh, the syndicate issued an abrupt demand for another 2,700,000 BDT on 23 July. When the family could not raise the cash before the morning deadline on 24 July, the captors shot Sohag and hid his body.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community. Relatives and neighbours disclosed that at least 11 other young men from the region remain held hostage by the same criminal network in Libya. Agonised family members have appealed to state authorities to facilitate the recovery and repatriation of Sohag’s body while taking stern action against those responsible.

Assistant Superintendent of Police in Madaripur, Bimal Chandra Barman, confirmed that the victim’s mother, Shahinur Begum, lodged a formal complaint at Rajoir Police Station on Wednesday night. Acting on the complaint, law enforcement officers arrested the prime suspect, Julhas Sardar, who has since been remanded in custody. Investigators noted that while local accomplices frequently alter their locations to avoid arrest, cross-border intelligence and legal coordination are required to target key ringleaders operating overseas