CBI nabs four suspects in Indian nationals trafficking case for Russian Army
PTC News Desk: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended four individuals in connection with a case involving the trafficking of Indian nationals for combat roles within the Russian Army.
According to a press release issued by the CBI on Tuesday, two of the accused, identified as Arun and Yesudas Junior, were arrested in Kerala on March 6 of this year. The remaining two suspects, Nijil Jobi Bensam and Anthony Michael Elangovan, were apprehended in Mumbai.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities focusing on other individuals believed to be part of this international network of human traffickers.
The CBI’s crackdown targeted a significant human trafficking syndicate operating across India, enticing unsuspecting youths with promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad. These traffickers utilized various means, including social media platforms like YouTube, as well as local contacts or agents, to recruit individuals for high-paying positions in Russia.
Subsequently, the trafficked Indian nationals were trained for combat roles and deployed to front bases in the Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their will, exposing them to grave danger. Some victims sustained severe injuries in the conflict zone.
The CBI registered a case against private visa consultancy firms and agents involved in trafficking Indian nationals to Russia under the guise of offering better employment prospects. This network of human traffickers operates across multiple states in India and extends beyond the country’s borders.
Nijil Jobi Bensam, one of the accused, was employed in Russia on a contractual basis as a translator and played a key role in facilitating the recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian Army. Meanwhile, Anthony Michael coordinated with his co-accused Faisal Baba in Dubai and others in Russia, managing visa processing in Chennai and arranging air travel for victims bound for Russia.
Arun and Yesudas Junior, the arrested recruiters from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, respectively, were identified as the primary operatives responsible for sourcing Indian nationals for service in the Russian Army.