17 Indian migrants stranded in Libya for six months were released on Sunday, they had been defrauded by a immigration network promising then lucrative jobs in Italy.

Indian parliamentarian Singh Sahney, who had been working on their release, said on Sunday: “All of them left India for Italy in February 2023 via Dubai and Egypt. After a few days, they landed in Libya and kept in Zuwara City, where they were being deprived of basic amenities like food and water and faced physical assault”.

Sahney noted that when he was informed of the situation, he contacted the Indian embassy in Tunisia and initiated the legal process for their rescue.

“My office was in constant touch with these boys and their families. Initially, our major concern was to take them out from the captivity of the local mafia,” he added.

 Libyan authorities secured the release of the individuals and they are currently in Tripoli awaiting travel documents.

Sahney added that he will be sponsoring all the legal expenses and flight tickets of these youths for the journey back home and then offer them free of cost skill training.