13 Bangladeshis freed from kidnappers in Libya

Libyan authorities have rescued 13 Bangladeshi migrants who were being held captive in Tripoli and arrested a Syrian suspect accused of kidnapping them for ransom, The Libya Observer reports.

The news outlet, citing the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency's East Tripoli Branch, said the suspect had been referred to the public prosecution, which ordered his pretrial detention pending investigation. The agency said in a Facebook state ment that the operation began after its Investigation and Arrest Unit at the East Tripoli Migrant Detention Centre received information about a criminal network kidnapping newly arrived migrants and blackmailing their relatives into paying ransom for their release.

It said investigators launched preliminary inquiries, gathered intelligence and tracked the case, leading them to identify both the location where the migrants were being held and the suspect.

After securing authorisation from the Public Prosecution, officers raided the site, rescued the migrants and arrested the Syrian suspect on the spot, it added.

The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime during questioning after being confronted with evidence from the preliminary investigation.

His statements were officially documented, and following completion of legal procedures, he was referred to the Public Prosecution, which ordered his pretrial detention pending further investigation, as per the agency.     �"bdnews24