Two separate cases have been filed under the Human Trafficking Prevention Act against nine brokers following the deaths of 12 young men from Sunamganj who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to travel from Libya to Greece. The cases were lodged on Monday night at Jagannathpur and Dirai police stations, with five accused in one case and four in the other.

According to the report, the Dirai case was filed by Salikur Rahman, father of deceased Sohanur Rahman from Basuri village, while the Jagannathpur case was filed by Habibur Rahman from Pailgaon village. Additional Superintendent of Police Sujan Sarkar stated that the names of the accused are being withheld for investigative reasons, and police operations to arrest them are ongoing.

District Commissioner Mohammad Elias Mia said that lists of suspected brokers were prepared by local executive officers and handed over to police. He added that the administration remains in support of the victims’ families.