Three Sri Lankan Citizens Rescued from Abduction in Bangladesh
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Synopsis
Three Sri Lankan nationals, including a woman, were rescued by police in Bangladesh after being abducted for ransom. They traveled to the country at the invitation of a friend they met online. The police have detained several local suspects in connection with the incident.
Key Takeaways
- Three Sri Lankans were abducted in Bangladesh.
- They were lured by a friend met online.
- Police rescued them and detained suspects.
- Ransom was demanded from their families.
- US and UK issued travel warnings for Bangladesh.
Dhaka, April 25 (NationPress) Three Sri Lankan citizens, including a woman, were successfully rescued by law enforcement in Bangladesh after being abducted for ransom. Local news sources indicate that the group had traveled to Bangladesh following an invitation from a friend they encountered on social media.
The police have apprehended three local individuals, including the one who extended the invitation, according to Bangladeshi Deputy Inspector General of Police (Khulna range) Mohammad Rezaul Haque, who spoke to local reporters on Thursday.
The detainees—Kazi Emdad Hossain, Shahidul Sheikh, Jony Sheikh, and SM Shamsul Alam—contacted the families of the abducted Sri Lankans using a local phone number, demanding a ransom, as reported by Bangladesh’s The Daily Star.
Eventually, the Sri Lankan nationals were located at Emdad Kazi’s residence in South Ambari village in the Upazila, as stated by Touhidul Arif, Superintendent of Police in Bagerhat district.
“Recently, Emdad became friends with the three Sri Lankan nationals online. He lured them to Bangladesh with promises of business opportunities. They arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday and were taken captive upon their arrival,” reported bdnews24, citing SP Touhidul Arif.
“Their families reached out from Sri Lanka, informing us of the kidnapping. They were told they would not be released without a ransom. They were transported to Bagerhat’s Mollahat on Wednesday night,” the police official added.
The US has recently reiterated travel advisories for its citizens to reconsider visiting Bangladesh due to concerns of civil unrest, crime, and terrorism in the region.
The US Department of State's travel advisories also warn of the potential for terrorist violence, including attacks and related activities in Bangladesh.
Previously, the UK has updated its travel recommendations for Bangladesh, urging its citizens to avoid all but essential travel to areas like the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
“Terrorist attacks could occur indiscriminately, including in areas frequented by foreigners, such as crowded venues, places of worship, and political gatherings,” stated the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
In light of the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus, local outlets have reported a concerning rise in highway robberies, primarily targeting expatriates.
According to the Bangladesh Highway Police, such incidents have surged since the downfall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August 2024.
