Staff Reporter:
Libyan security forces have rescued 13 Bangladeshi migrants from captivity in the capital, Tripoli, and arrested a Syrian national accused of kidnapping them and extorting ransom from their families.
Citing the East Tripoli Branch of the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency, The Libya Observer reported that the suspect was handed over to the Public Prosecution, which ordered his pretrial detention pending further investigation.
According to the agency, the operation began after its Investigation and Arrest Unit at the East Tripoli Migrant Detention Centre received intelligence that a criminal group was abducting newly arrived migrants and demanding ransom from their families in exchange for their release.
Investigators conducted a preliminary inquiry, gathered intelligence and tracked the group’s activities, enabling them to identify both the hideout where the migrants were being held and the suspected kidnapper.
Acting on a warrant issued by the Public Prosecution, security personnel raided the location, rescued the 13 Bangladeshi migrants and arrested the Syrian suspect without incident, the agency said.
The suspect allegedly confessed to the offences during interrogation after being confronted with evidence collected in the investigation, according to the agency.
His statement was formally recorded before he was referred to the Public Prosecution, which ordered his pretrial detention pending further investigation.
