Libyan authorities have rescued 13 Bangladeshi migrants who were allegedly held captive by a criminal group in eastern Tripoli.
The Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency in east Tripoli said on Thursday that security forces launched the operation after receiving intelligence that a criminal network had kidnapped newly arrived migrants and demanded ransom payments from their families.
The operation led to the rescue of the migrants and the arrest of a Syrian national suspected of kidnapping and extortion. The suspect reportedly admitted to the allegations during preliminary investigations and has been referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation.
Libyan authorities have carried out several similar operations in recent months, rescuing dozens of migrants believed to have been victims of human trafficking and smuggling networks. Libya remains a key transit route for irregular migrants attempting to reach Europe through the Mediterranean Sea because of its long coastline and proximity to the continent.
