Representative Image. (Photo: Getty Images)
KATHMANDU: Two Nepali youths have reportedly landed in a Russian military prison. The two entered Russia illegally and joined the Russian Army. But they left the military out of fear of war and attempted to escape toward Poland. They were arrested by the Russian police while they were trying to enter Poland.
“We have been informed that two Nepali youths were arrested by Russian police and handed over to the army,” an official at the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security told Himal Press.
The names and addresses of the two youths haven’t been revealed.
They have reportedly been sentenced to prison terms of 10 and 15 years by the Russian Army.
“Migrant Nepali workers in the UAE informed us about the arrests,” the official said. “We have requested the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow to find the whereabouts of the two youths.”
An official at the Embassy of Nepal in Moscow told Himal Press over the phone that they do not have official information about the two youths yet. “We are trying to get information from Russian authorities. But since they didn’t come to Russia through the official channel, it is becoming difficult,” the official in Moscow added.
Nepali youths working for the Russian Army reportedly earn more than Rs 250,000 per month. Likewise, they are insured for around Rs 18 million, as reported by a Nepali youth working for the Russian Army.
Russia has reportedly recruited Nepali youths on a five-year contract because of its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. They aren’t allowed to leave the country before the contract expires.
According to Nepali youths serving in the Russian Army, they first undergo training at a military camp and are then deployed to the war front. After spending 15 days in a war zone, they are allowed to rest for the next 15 days at the army camp.
Government officials say several agents are facilitating the illegal entry of Nepali youths into Russia to work for the Russian military. “We have received complaints that these agents are charging anywhere between Rs 800,000 to Rs 1.2 million from these youths,” an official at the Department of Foreign Employment said.
The department has formed a committee to study how Nepali youths are being recruited into the Russian Army.
The government officially confirmed that Nepali youths are working in the Russian Army after three Nepali youths – Pritam Karki of Syangja, Raj Kumar Rokka of Dolakha, and Ganga Raj Moktan of Ilam – died on the war fronts some two weeks ago.
