114 Bangladeshis detained in Libya return to country

Dhaka: 114 Bangladeshis stuck in Libya have been brought back to the country with efforts of Bangladesh Embassy in Libya and International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The returnees were those stuck in detention centre no 55 in Libya.

The Bangladeshis arrived here on the Buraq air flight UZ220 chartered by IOM. The flight left Mitiga airport at 5:45 am on March 2 and arrived at Dhaka Airport at 8:10 am on March 3.

Many of the returnees were victims of human trafficking, said IOM, Bangladesh. Most of the Bangladeshis were detained by law enforcement agencies in Libya while on the way to European countries on boat, said an IOM official.

None of them had valid passport or visas and were trying to migrate to other countries irregularly, said Airport Armed Police.

After they landed in Bangladesh IOM provided them with food and transport cost to reach home. IOM will also provide mental health services to whoever needs it, the organisation said.

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