A total of 174 Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated from Libya early Tuesday after being held at the Ganfouda Detention Centre** in Benghazi and the Tajoura Detention Centre in Tripoli.
They arrived in Dhaka at 5:15am on a 'Buraq Air' flight under a joint repatriation initiative involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Libyan government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to the Foreign Ministry, most of the returnees had entered Libya illegally in an attempt to reach Europe by sea with the help of human traffickers. Many reportedly faced abduction and abuse while in Libya.
Officials from the relevant ministries and the IOM received the returnees at the airport. The IOM also provided travel assistance, food, primary healthcare and temporary accommodation where necessary.
The Foreign Ministry said efforts are continuing to ensure the safe repatriation of other Bangladeshi nationals detained at various detention centres in Libya.
