Illegal recruitment to Russian miliary: Kerala Police arrest 3

Thiruvananthapuram: In a case of alleged illegal recruitment of people from Kerala to the Russian military in its war against Ukraine, police arrested three people in the state’s Thrissur district on Sunday. The development happened after a man from Kerala got killed in the Ukraine war days ago, The Indian Express reported.

Those arrested in connection with the matter were Sibi Ouseph, Sandeep Thomas and Sumesh Antony, who claimed to have Russian citizenship, police informed. They were charged with a section under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) linked to human trafficking by fraud or deception, unlawful compulsory labour against the will of a person, cheating and fraud.

It was on January 14 that the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the death of 31-year-old Binil TB from Kuttanellur in Thrissur district, who was serving the Russian military. Meanwhile, another person identified as Jain TK is receiving treatment after he got injured during the war. Jain is Binil’s relative, and both were similarly recruited, it is learned.

The Ministry of External Affairs informed on January 17 that at least 12 Indian citizens who were serving the Russian Army were killed, and 18 more are still with the army. Out of the 18, 16 people’s whereabouts are unknown, TIE reported.

Thrissur City Police Commissioner Ilango R said that the arrests on Sunday were made on the basis of complaints registered and cases filed by the families of Binil and Jain. The officer said that Sibi and Sandeep claimed that they have Russian citizenship and came to India on a visa. The police are verifying their claims, and they don’t know exactly how many people have been recruited to the Russian army by the arrested gang. It is believed that they have taken eight to nine people to Russia, the officer added.