Nine brokers sued over deaths of 12 youths

The deaths of at least 12 youths from Sunamganj on the Mediterranean route have prompted two cases against nine alleged human traffickers, as families accuse brokers of luring victims with false promises of safe passage to Europe via Libya.

Police said the cases were filed with Derai and Jagannathpur police stations, naming local and overseas-based suspects believed to be part of trafficking networks.

In Derai, Saliqur Rahman, one of the victim’s father, filed a case naming four accused -- Mujibur Miah of Tarapasha, Italy-based Saleh Ahmed of Jagdal, Sayek Ahmed of Jagannathpur upazila, and Jashim Miah, a Libya-based man from Chhatak upazila -- along with several unidentified suspects.

In Jagannathpur, Habibur Rahman, father of the deceased Aminur Rahman, filed another case against five, accusing Libya-based Jashim Miah, Azizul Islam of Ishgaon village, and three others identified as Bilal, Dulal and Enam.

Among the victims was Sajidur Rahman, a madrasa teacher from Dirai upazila, who allegedly set out for Greece via Libya after being persuaded by a local broker.

His family said they agreed to pay Tk 12 lakh on assurances of a safe journey. Instead, he reportedly left Libya on March 21 in a small boat lacking basic navigation tools and supplies. After drifting for six days, he died of dehydration, and fellow passengers later disposed of his body at sea.

“I trusted the broker because of his influence in the village. He assured me my son would travel safely,” said Sajidur’s father, Abdul Gani.

Locals alleged that the accused are part of a wider network sending migrants to Europe via Libya. Several suspects have gone into hiding following the deaths.

In another case, families accused Saleh Ahmed, an Italy-based migrant from Jagdal village in Derai, of facilitating irregular migration through local contacts.

One victim, Sohanur Rahman, reportedly travelled to Libya without informing his family and later died en route to Greece.

“I last spoke to my son on March 22. Since then, he has gone missing,” said his father, Saliqur Rahman.

Another parent, Anwar Hossain, alleged that brokers took up to Tk 13 lakh promising safe passage but failed to deliver.

Superintendent of Police ABM Zakir Hossain said police are trying to arrest the accused and are coordinating with the Criminal Investigation Department’s human trafficking unit.