New Delhi: A Hyderabad man, who was among several Indians lured by agents with false promises of jobs in the Russian army, has died in Moscow under mysterious circumstances. The Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed his death and said it was in touch with his family and the Russian authorities.
The deceased was identified as Mohammad Afsan, a 30-year-old resident of Hyderabad. His brother Imran said the Indian Embassy informed them about Afsan’s death on Wednesday and requested the Central Government to help in bringing back his body.
According to media reports, Afsan and other Indians were recruited as security assistants in the Russian army but were later forced to fight along with Russian soldiers in some border areas of Russia with Ukraine. The reports said the Indians were not given proper training, equipment, or salaries, and were subjected to harsh conditions and threats.
Last week, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi that authorities were doing their best for the “early release” of about 20 Indian nationals working as support staff of the Russian military. Jaiswal had said, “Our understanding is that there are about 20 people (Indians) who have gone there to work as support staff with the Russian army.”
AIMIM sources said party chief Asaduddin Owaisi had recently contacted the Indian Embassy in Moscow after Afsan’s family approached him in this regard. He said an embassy official confirmed Afsan’s death to Owaisi.
