India Takes Up 'Human Trafficking Network' With Russia, Seeks Early Return of Duped Men: MEA

A day after a “major human trafficking network” that lured young men to Russia was busted, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that New Delhi has strongly taken up the matter with Moscow. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said late on Thursday that about 35 people had been sent to Russia in the dubious scheme.

“Several Indian nationals have been duped to work in the Russian army. We have strongly taken up the matter for the early discharge of such Indian nationals. Strong action has been initiated against agents who recruited them on false pretexts. We remain committed to the early release of our nationals serving as support staff with the Russian army and then eventually return home,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press conference.

Read More: CBI Launches Major Crackdown On Dubious Job Firms After Indians Tricked Into Fighting Russia-Ukraine War

Two men died

Jaiswal said that around 20 people have contacted reached out and govment is doing its best to locate them. “We are in constant touch with families and also to bring back mortal remains. These deaths happened at a distance from the capital so we are trying our best to bring the mortal remains of those who died,” he said. So far, at least two men who went to Russia expecting to work as “helpers” in the army have died while fighting at the front.

The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed their deaths. The traffickers, operating across several Indian states, targeted people using social media platforms and through local agents, the CBI said in a statement. On Thursday, the CBI said searches were being conducted at a number of locations, including in the capital New Delhi and Mumbai, and cash amounting to $605,000 had already been seized. “Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations,” it said.

Read More:  Indian National Mohammed Asfan Dies ‘Fighting Russia-Ukraine War’

On Wednesday, the Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the death of Indian national Mohammed Asfan and assured the family of the deceased that the government will make efforts to repatriate his mortal remains. Asfan, 30, who hailed from Hyderabad, was reportedly killed in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. He, along with several others, was duped by agents and recruited as ‘helpers’ to fight alongside the Russian army, according to media reports. Asfan’s family earlier reached out to the government seeking help in bringing back the youth from the war zone.

In the video, the seven men are seen wearing army uniforms inside a room with a closed window. Six of them stand in a corner while one explains their situation. Several men from Punjab, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Telangana find themselves trapped in the conflict, having been misled under false promises. They were enticed by a YouTube channel offering lucrative job opportunities, only to end up coerced into frontline combat duty.