Conflicts & War

India begins probe after busting trafficking network to Russia

New Delhi, March 8 (EFE).- 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.”

The Indian authorities have so far seized 5 million rupees ($60,000), incriminating documents and electronic records in addition to making several arrests of suspects for interrogation concerning the case.

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.

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. EFE

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