23 Bangladeshis kidnapped in Libya rescued

Local police launched an investigation after several foreigners were allegedly abducted and tortured for ransom

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police in Libya has rescued 23 kidnapped Bangladeshis in an operation in the country's Misrata city.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Tripoli said in a statement on Tuesday that two people were also arrested in connection with the abductions.

The CID launched an investigation after receiving complaints at the Al-Giran Police Station in Misrata that several foreigners were abducted and tortured for ransom. After identifying the location of the kidnappers, police conducted a raid and freed the hostages.

Later, the rescued Bangladeshis and the two arrestees were handed over to Al-Giran police.

The Bangladesh mission expressed its gratitude to the law-enforcing agencies of Misrata for their prompt action in rescuing the hostages.

The embassy said it is in touch with the authorities concerned to provide necessary legal assistance and cooperation to the rescued Bangladeshis.