Nepal arrests gang accused of smuggling people for forced recruitment into Russian army in Ukraine
Nepal has apprehended a group it accuses of trafficking individuals to be coerced into joining Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
Ten individuals in custody face allegations of duping unemployed youths by promising travel visas, only to force them into illegal recruitment within the Russian army, a Nepali official disclosed on Wednesday.
Following the deaths of six Nepali citizens and the capture of another by Kyiv’s forces in Ukraine, Kathmandu urged Moscow to halt the deployment of Nepali mercenaries and repatriate those already in service.
The recent arrests by Kathmandu district police chief Bhupendra Khatri were made based on received tips.
“We are in discussions with government lawyers regarding the case and will present them before the court,” Khatri informed Reuters, without specifying the court appearance date.
The detainees allegedly extracted exorbitant sums, up to $9,000 per person, under the guise of procuring “tourist visas” for Russia, predominantly via the United Arab Emirates, subsequently funneling them into the Russian military, Khatri stated.
Describing it as “human smuggling” and “organized crime,” he emphasized the severity of the situation.
Nepal, situated between China and India, seeks compensation from Russia for families of the deceased citizens amid Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine since its invasion in February 2022.
While Nepali soldiers, renowned as Gurkhas, have historically served in the British and Indian armies under specific agreements, no such arrangement exists with Russia.
Nepal heavily relies on remittances sent back by its citizens employed abroad, accounting for a significant portion of its GDP.
Russia has been sourcing soldiers for its Ukrainian campaign through various means.
A mobilization initiative and recruitment by the Wagner mercenary group have significantly bolstered troop numbers.
President Vladimir Putin recently expanded the Russian army’s size by 15 percent, offering incentives to attract recruits without resorting to a draft.
Source-Aljazeera
