Family members of a businessman Syed Mashahid Ali of Dirai upazila in Sunamganj district claimed that Mashahid was allegedly tortured and killed by the members of a human trafficking gang in Libya after realising ransom several times.
Sanwara Begum, wife of Mashahid, came up with the allegation in a press briefing held at Sylhet Press Club in the afternoon.
M Belal Ahmed, nephew of Mashahid read out the written statement.
When briefing, Sanawara said, Mashahid Ali of Hossainpur village in Dirai upazila had a dream to go to Italy and he met Amina Begum, wife of Shaheen Ahmed of Parargaon village in Jagannathpur upazila in 2020 and during their meeting, Amina said her husband has been living in Libya and he can help Mashahid to go to Italy through Libya.
Rokon Ahmed, son of Lal Mia, Tota Mia, son of Irshad Ali, Chandan Mia, Harun Mia, son of Rangam Ullah and Shahjahan Ahmed, son of Ishak Ali were also present during the meeting.
Later, Amina in collusion with others said they can send Mashahid to Italy at Tk 7 lakh.
The gang took Tk 3.50 lakh from Mashahid for this purpose.
On November 20, 2020, they sent Mashahid to Dubai and then to Libya. After reaching Dubai, the gang took Tk 3 lakh more from Mashahid.
When Mashahid reached Dubai, Amina’s husband Shaheen Ahmed and his gang took him hostage and unleashed brutal torture on him.
Meanwhile, they realised Tk 15.5 lakh from January 12 in phases saying that if they failed to pay the money they will kill Mashahid and dump the body in the Bay.
On June 21, Shaheen said Mashahid was tortured to death as they failed to realise Tk 16 lakh by calling the Imo app.
After hearing the death news, Sanwara went to Amina and demanded her husband be alive but in reply, Amina threatened her to abduct Sanwara and her three children if she raised any questions pointing fingers at them.
Sanwara said she is now under threat and when she went to Dirai Police Station to lodge a complaint, police advised her to file a case with the court.
She also demanded the intervention of the police, Home Minister, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and higher officials concerned to bring back Mashahid or the body of Mashahid and Tk 22 lakh given to the trafficking gang in phases and ensure strict punishment to those involved in the gruesome incident.
