Youth Held in Libya Extortion Case

A 30-year-old man from Habiganj has allegedly been abducted and subjected to torture in Libya after being deceived with promises of employment in Italy, according to a case filed by his family. The incident is believed to involve a human trafficking network that allegedly extorted large sums of money while the victim has remained missing for 42 days.

The victim, Rayhan Chowdhury, son of Abu Taher Chowdhury from Betapur village under Auskandi Union in Nabiganj upazila, was reportedly lured by an acquaintance named Shamim and others associated with a trafficking syndicate. They allegedly promised him a free visa to Italy, prompting him to prepare for travel with the support of his family, who handed over necessary documents to the intermediaries.

According to the complaint and family statements, the accused initially collected approximately 1.2 million Bangladeshi Taka in several instalments, claiming that visa processing was underway. Subsequently, they arranged his travel, first sending him to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa, then routing him through Egypt before transporting him to Libya. Instead of facilitating his onward journey to Italy, the group allegedly confined him in Libya and subjected him to physical and psychological abuse.

The family further alleges that the traffickers demanded additional ransom payments during his captivity. In response, they reportedly sold land and gold ornaments to raise approximately 1.5 million Taka, which was also paid to the accused. During this period, the family was allegedly shown video calls depicting the victim being tortured. They also claim that one of his fingers was severed during the abuse.

Despite paying a total of 2,790,000 Taka, the family states that Rayhan Chowdhury has not been released. Instead, the alleged traffickers have demanded an additional 2.5 million Taka and have continued to subject him to torture. The family also reports receiving threats that his wrist would be cut off if further payments were not made.

A case was filed on 15 February this year at Nabiganj Police Station under the Human Trafficking Prevention Act by Rayhan’s father. Since the filing of the case, the family claims they have not received any confirmed information regarding his whereabouts. They also allege that pressure has been exerted on them to withdraw the case.

Rayhan’s father stated that the legal action has worsened their situation, adding that they were shown video evidence of ongoing torture. He further claimed that his son has now been missing for 42 days.

Police officials confirmed that the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.

Summary of alleged ransom payments

The investigation remains ongoing under the CID.