Dhaka: The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) successfully rescued two Bangladeshi expatriates who had been held hostage for 41 days in Libya. The operation also resulted in the arrest of two individuals from the districts of Rajshahi and Bagerhat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the victims, Alamgir Hossain, aged 45, and Siraj Uddin, aged 35, were released by their captors near Zilzia Hospital in Tripoli, Libya, on February 18, following their abduction from a workshop in the Jamajitan area of Tripoli on January 8. The press release noted that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) took the victims into their custody, facilitating Alamgir’s return to Bangladesh under the supervision of BRAC migration.
Upon Alamgir’s arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, the PBI took him into custody. Efforts are ongoing to bring back the other victim, Siraj Uddin. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of TK 22 lakh from each victim’s family, threatening them with harm if the payment was not made promptly. In response, the families managed to send TK 5.50 lakh in two installments.
The elder brother of Alamgir, Abdul Khalek, filed a case with Adabar Police Station on January 29, 2025. The PBI, tasked with the investigation, arrested Md Rasel Haque, 25, from the Karaitola intersection under Boalia Police Station in Rajshahi Metropolitan area on January 30, and Md Mintu Farazi, 39, from the Morolganj area of Bagerhat district on February 16, 2025.
Both individuals were detained due to their involvement in the kidnapping. They are related to the masterminds behind the abduction, Kamal Hossain and Nazrul Islam. Kamal is Rasel’s maternal uncle, while Nazrul is married to Mintu’s niece.