Ten Nepali migrant workers who were stranded in Russia have taken refuge in the Nepali embassy in Moscow. The Nepali workers had reached Russia two months ago with help of Pittsburgh based Sri Lankan agent Ahasan Dawood. Each of them had spent Rs 7 lakhs to reach Russia.

According to Gahendra Rajbhandari, second secretary at the embassy, the Nepali workers without visa and other documents came to take refuge in the embassy on last Monday.

The stranded Nepalis had entered the country on tourist visa valid for 27 days. Russia has very stiff rules against illegal entry into the country, Rajbhandari said. The Russian court has given them ten days´ time to leave the country, he added further.

The stranded Nepalis are the victims of international human trafficking. Human traffickers have been using Russia as a transit to bring people to the former Soviet Union countries or other European countries, we have to be alert in this regard, he said.

Along with Dawood, Bishnu Khadka, Santosh Nepal, Mahesh Nepal and Srijana Thapa are said to be involved in international racket of human trafficking.

Published on: 7 October 2012 | Republica