Sohag Mia, a 28-year-old resident of Kalipur Dakshinpara in Bhairab municipality, Kishoreganj, has reportedly died in Libya while in the custody of human traffickers.

His family alleges that Sohag succumbed to continuous physical and mental abuse inflicted by the traffickers.

Sohag had entered into an agreement with the traffickers to be smuggled to Italy via Libya for a sum of Tk 16 lakh.

After paying an initial Tk 5 lakh, he was taken to Libya seven months ago.

Over time, the traffickers extracted the full amount from his family. However, Sohag's dream of reaching Italy remained unfulfilled.

Last Sunday, he passed away while still in the traffickers' custody.

Sohag's elder brother, Sujan Mia, who resides in Italy, confirmed his death.

He said, "The traffickers took Tk 16 lakh from me. They constantly tortured Sohag for more money and deprived him of adequate food. A few days ago, he fell ill due to physical abuse but was not taken to a hospital. On Sunday, we received news of his death. Since then, none of the traffickers' phone numbers have been reachable."

Sohag, the second of three brothers, had previously worked in Qatar for eight years before returning to Bangladesh about a year ago. He had recently married and was the father of a two-month-old daughter.

His family revealed that Sohag had met one of the traffickers, Sentu Mia from Baraicha in Belabo, Narsingdi, while in Bangladesh.

Through Sentu, the agreement to travel to Italy via Libya was made.

The traffickers reportedly held Sohag in Libya, extorted the full payment in instalments, and subjected him to abuse when he protested.

Sohag's wife, Liza Begum, said she could not communicate with her husband freely. "Whenever we spoke, he would mention being in trouble. I had to pay the traffickers to even talk to him," she said.

The family has appealed to the government for assistance in repatriating Sohag's body and demanded justice against the traffickers.

According to sources, Sentu Mia, one of the accused traffickers, is currently out of the country, and his phone remains switched off.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shabnam Sharmin said, "We will provide support in bringing Sohag's body back to the country."