BENGALURU, 24 FEB

Nawaz Ali Kalagi, father of Syed Iliyas Hussain, who is made to join Russian Wagner army for fighting against Ukraine, pleaded with the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help bring back his son home.

Speaking to Salar News from Kalaburagi on Saturday, he said, “My son went to Russia on 18 December, 2023. He was told that he would be employed as a security helper. Now, he along with two other boys Mohammed Sameer Ahmed and Abdul Nayoom, also from Kalaburagi, are being asked to fight in the war,” he said.

“My son was concerned about our financial situation, and when he was interviewed in Dubai for this job he fell for the offer as it amounted to a handsome amount which could turn the tide in the family’s favour. I only hope the government ensures the safe release of my son and other young men who are stuck there,” Kalagi said. He said along with his son, a group of Indian youths have fallen victim to agents who deceitfully sent them to Russia.

Kalagi said the three men were employed at the Dubai Airport earlier. They saw an advertisement for posts of security guards in Russia on a YouTube channel ‘Baba Blog’. Kalagi said his son and the others met the chief agent Wogla and other agents Sufiyan, Moin and Pooja. They flew to Russia via Chennai, on 18 December, 2023, by an Air Arabia flight. The youth, who were earning Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 in Dubai, were promised salaries around Rs 2,00,000 by the agents. For the promised security personnel/helper jobs, the agents in Dubai took Rs 3,50,000 each from the youth, Kalagi said.

State Congress leader Priyank Kharge has appealed to the Centre to intervene and rescue Indian youths. “The youths were fraudulently taken there. We have written a letter in this regard to the representative of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Bengaluru. I have also spoken to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. He has assured me that he will speak to Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and write a letter.”

The families of the stranded young men in Russia have told Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum that they have been recruited into Wagner Group, a private army allegedly funded by the Russian government to fight on the frontline in Ukraine.    —Salar News