THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CBI has arrested two key middlemen in the Russian human trafficking case. Arun and Priyan, the middlemen were arrested by CBI Delhi unit. The primary middleman, Alex, a Russian Malayali involved in trafficking people to the Russian war front, has also been arrested. Priyan, a native of Thumba is Alex's cousin.

Individuals from Thiruvananthapuram ended up at the war front in Russia after falling victim to a fraudulent recruitment agency. Prior to their departure for Russia, Priyan received approximately Rs 6 lakh. The investigation team found out that Priyan orchestrated the majority of recruitment in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.

Those who returned from Russia provided statements to the CBI implicating Priyan. Subsequently, the arrest proceedings were initiated. David Muthappan and Prince Sebastian, the deceived Malayalis, returned to the country last month.

Efforts are underway to locate Tinu and Vineeth, who traveled to Russia with Prince. Prince Sebastian and David Muthappan, natives of Thiruvananthapuram Anchuthengu-Pozhiyur, were lured by middlemen under the guise of security work. They came across a security job advertisement on WhatsApp and contacted the agency.

However, they were coerced into joining the mercenary army after their training and were transported to Delhi and then Russia through an agent. Both sustained injuries in the Russo-Ukraine war.