17 Indian nationals freed from captivity of armed group in Libya, return home safely

Seventeen Indian nationals, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening (August 20) months after y were held captive by an armed group in Zwara City in Libya. According to sources, stranded Indians were trafficked from India after unscrupulous agents duped m on pretext of sending m to Italy, taking 13 Lakh each. evacuation was carried out under efforts of Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy in Tunis (looking after Libya). 

case was brought to attention of Indian Embassy in Tunis on May 26, 2023, by family members of stranded Indian nationals. Since n, Embassy continuously remained in close touch with family members of captives in Libya and regularly pursued matter with Libyan authorities throughout May and June. Embassy in Tunis also contacted authorities in Libya regarding release of Indian nationals through informal channels as well. 

On 13 June 2023, Libyan authorities rescued Indian nationals, however, y were kept in ir custody due to possibility that stranded Indian citizens may have entered country illegally. Following high-level intervention of Indian diplomats in Tunis and senior MEA officials from New Delhi, Libyan authorities agreed to release prisoners. 

Meanwhile, it was informed that Indian Embassy in Tunis looked after needs of Indians, including providing essential food items, medicines and clos, during ir stay in Libya. Since individuals did not have passports, Emergency Certificates were issued for m so that y can travel to India back. 

Earlier in May 2023, nine Indian crew members of a merchant vessel were freed after y were held captive by a militia in Libya for more than three months.

AAP MP demands actions 

Following return of stranded Indian nations, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney asked Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers, Bhagwant Mann and Manohar Lal Khattar, to take immediate action in matter and register FIRs against agents who duped Indian nationals for money. 

“With blessings of Akalpurakh Waheguru ji, we spearheed successful evacuation of 17 youth of Punjab and Haryana from gallows of death in Libya where unscrupulous agents duped m after taking 13 Lakh each. Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers should immediately register FIRs against agents who committed this heinous crime,” he said.