CIB forms panel to probe human trafficking allegations during PM’s Spain visit

KATHMANDU: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has formed a committee under SSP Hobindra Bogati to investigate a trafficking racket involved in sending Nepali citizens to Spain.

The committee includes investigative officers from CIB and the Anti-Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli visited Spain on June 28 to participate in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development. All 21 members of the Prime Minister’s delegation returned home on July 24.

However, 82 Nepalis reportedly traveled to Spain during the period to participate in the same conference, while 55 more were reportedly turned back from the airport due to suspicious documents. Many of them have not returned.

Opposition lawmakers have alleged that a trafficking network has been using such official visits as a cover to smuggle Nepalis to European or Western countries by charging a large sum of money.

The committee has been told to study the individuals who attended the conference despite not being a part of the government delegation, how their visit was organized and who facilitated their participation.