165 repatriated from Libya

A total of 165 Bangladeshi nationals have been repatriated from Libya with the assistance of the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the foreign affairs ministry, the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Libyan government, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

They returned to Bangladesh on a Buraq Air flight at 5:30am yesterday.

Of the returnees, 143 had been detained at the Ganfouda Detention Centre in Benghazi, while the remaining 22 were distressed, vulnerable and physically ill Bangladeshis who had been living in Benghazi and nearby areas and expressed willingness to return home voluntarily.

According to officials, most of them had entered Libya attempting to reach Europe illegally by sea after being lured and assisted by human traffickers.

Many of them also alleged that they had been kidnapped and subjected to torture at different times in Libya.

Officials from the foreign ministry, other relevant ministries and the IOM received the returnees at the airport.

The IOM provided each returnee with travel allowances, food items, primary medical care and temporary accommodation where necessary.

The foreign ministry requested the returnees to share their difficult experiences with others to raise public awareness.

It also said it is working together with the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the expatriates’ welfare ministry and the IOM to ensure safe repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres in Libya.