India says it busted trafficking racket duping people into fighting for Russia in Ukraine
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Indian Hemil Mangukiya (centre), who was reportedly lured to the front line under false pretences, died in a missile strike in Russia, his family said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEW DELHI – India said it busted a “major human trafficking network” that lured young men to Russia with the promise of jobs, only to force them to fight in the war in Ukraine.
About 35 people have been sent to Russia in the scheme so far, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said late on March 7, almost double the figure of 20 people that the Indian Foreign Ministry had earlier mentioned.
At least two men who went to Russia expecting to work as “helpers” in the army have died while fighting at the front, their families have said.
The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed one of those deaths.
The traffickers, operating across several Indian states, targeted people using social media platforms and via local agents, the CBI said in a statement.
The CBI’s criminal case says some of the men were also offered admission to “dubious private universities” in Russia along with “free discounted visa extensions” to draw them in.
“The trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone against their wishes,” the statement said, adding that some of the victims were “grievously injured” in the war zone.
The CBI said searches were being conducted at a number of locations, including in India’s capital New Delhi and financial capital Mumbai, and cash amounting to 50 million rupees (S$805,000) had been seized along with some documents and electronic records.
“Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations,” it said.
The Foreign Ministry has said every case of Indians being duped into fighting in the war had been “strongly taken up” with Moscow.
In videos circulating on social media, seven men have sought the Indian government’s help to return home, saying that they travelled to Russia on tourist visas but are now being forced to serve in its army.
“We have seen some videos and are trying to contact those people,” Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said on March 8.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the issue.
Thousands of people have died on both sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022
New Delhi and Moscow have enjoyed a close relationship for decades, and India has refused to condemn Russia over the war with Ukraine, urging the two sides to end the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
India has also stepped up its purchase of cheap Russian oil, much to the frustration of Western capitals. REUTERS
