Indian agency CBI busts human trafficking network sending Indians to Russia-Ukraine war zone
New Delhi, INDIA (EFE/DT) – India’s main probe agency carried out raids in several cities on Friday after dismantling a major network involved in the trafficking of Indian citizens to fight for Russia against Ukraine.
“The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)is conducting simultaneous searches at around 13 locations” in seven cities, including New Delhi and Mumbai, the agency said in a statement.
The raids came after the agency said it dismantled “a major human trafficking network running across the country targeting gullible youths on the promise of offering lucrative jobs abroad.”
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The Indian Authorities have disclosed that the CBI has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against several visa consultancy firms and agents implicated in the trafficking scheme. Following the raids, numerous individuals have been apprehended, and a sum of Rs 50 lakh has been confiscated.
The CBI explained that the traffickers attracted Indian citizens through social media channels and local contacts for highly paid jobs in Russia.
Once recruited, “they were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in Russia-Ukraine war zone against their wishes, thus putting their lives in grave danger,” the CBI said.
The agency has so far identified 35 cases of victims sent abroad through these networks.
The FIR filed by the CBI lists 17 agents and companies. However, investigations conducted by NDTV have uncovered the involvement of Dubai-based Faizan Khan, also known as Baba, who operated a popular YouTube channel named ‘Baba Vlogs’. Khan, implicated in the case, was identified as a key figure by families of trafficked individuals.
In one of his videos filmed in St. Petersburg, Russia, Khan highlights the proximity of the city to Finland and Estonia, both less than 150 km away. Speaking in Hindi, he suggests the opportunities available in the region, subtly implying the ease of undertaking certain activities given the proximity to conflict zones.
Watch the video where Baba entices Indian job seekers with promises related to Finland and Estonia
Throughout the video, Khan showcases the beauty of St. Petersburg while discussing job prospects, including positions as delivery personnel and aides to the Russian military.
“In the video, he emphasized the main advantage of obtaining a government official card. He highlighted that individuals would reside in comfortable accommodations, receive decent food, and enjoy priority treatment. With this card, they could obtain Schengen visas, travel to other countries, or secure a PR visa.
He suggested that by supporting the government, individuals could potentially receive long-term benefits like a PR visa,” he stated in the video.
“You will not be stationed on the border; your role will primarily involve assisting the Army,” Baba Khan assured his viewers.
India reported last Wednesday the death of a citizen allegedly tricked into fighting in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In recent weeks, about a dozen Indian citizens have insisted that they traveled to Moscow to support the Russian army in secondary tasks but were forced to fight on the front.
Since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, India has called on its citizens to stay out of the conflict.
New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance in the conflict, avoiding condemning the Russian invasion.
Indian law prohibits its citizens from participating in armed conflicts in other territories or countries with which New Delhi is at peace.
According to the Indian Penal Code, those who violate this rule shall be punished with imprisonment of any kind for a period that may extend to seven years.
