Four Bangladeshi youths allegedly sold to Russian army by two Jamaat leaders

Four young men from Patgram, Lalmonirhat, have been allegedly sold to the Russian army, with accusations levelled against two leaders of Jamaat-affiliated youth organisations. The families of the four youths are living in extreme anxiety and worry.

The families allege that Yunus Ali, former president of the district Shibir and recently relieved president of the upazila youth wing, and Mahin Islam, general secretary of the municipal youth wing, lured the youths with promises of high-paying garment jobs and took Tk 9.5 lakh from each.

The youths were promised safe and legal work in Russia through RS International agency in Uttara, Dhaka. On May 4, the four youths were taken from their homes to Dhaka. On May 7, they departed for Russia via Bahrain. After arriving in Moscow, they spoke to their families via video call from the airport. Russian army personnel then took them to a hotel and seized their passports, visas and mobile phones. The youths then realised they had been sold to the Russian army instead of being given jobs. Contact has since been lost.

The families said their sons later used a delivery man's phone to call them in tears, informing them of the danger. They have since sent text messages begging for their lives.

On May 21, about 30 families from various parts of the country, including Patgram, held a human chain in front of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment in Dhaka, demanding the return of their sons.

Patgram upazila Jamaat-e-Islami relieved Yunus and Mahin from their positions on May 20.

Yunus Ali claimed the youths went with valid documents and were cheated there. Mahin Islam denied any involvement.

Patgram Police Station OC Nazmul Haque said no written complaint has been filed yet.