A total of 176 Bangladeshis, who were detained in Libyan detention centers after illegally traveling to the country, have returned home. With the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), they arrived at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Burak Air flight at 4:15 AM on March 13. After completing immigration and investigation procedures, they were released by 8 AM.

These returnees shared harrowing stories of medieval-style torture they endured in Libyan detention centers, expressing their relief at surviving and reuniting with their families. Many families had been anxiously waiting, some for months or even years, to see their loved ones again. Tears of joy and sorrow mixed as they embraced their returning relatives.

Among them, 106 were held at the Tajoura Detention Center in Tripoli. One victim recounted that in four months, they were rarely given food—just beatings. Another shared that he was captured by Libyan mafias, lost around 2.6 million Bangladeshi Taka, and was imprisoned for five months and nine days. “Speaking is painful,” he said, recalling his suffering.

Another returnee revealed that despite working for five months, he was only paid for one month—30,000 Bangladeshi Taka. “We barely got food, and stepping outside meant risking being captured by mafias,” he explained.

Of the total returnees, 70 voluntarily came back, with 12 requiring medical attention due to physical conditions. Most detainees had left Bangladesh through human traffickers, hoping to reach Italy. Families of the victims are now demanding justice against these trafficking syndicates.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Libya is working to repatriate another 300 stranded Bangladeshis on March 19 and 26.