The suspect named John Ogais , 25 , was traced to a reception centre in
Calabria in southern Italy and clapped in cuffs on charges of belonging to a
transnational smuggling ring , specialising in human trafficking, murder and
rape .
Detectives in Agrigento in Sicily have pulled together witness
testimony from migrants who accuse Ogais of torturing people held captive in a
makeshift prison , with at least two men reportedly dying at his hands .
Many of those rescued from flimsy dinghies in the Mediterranean as they
try to make the perilous trip to Europe bear torture scars and tell rescuers
they had no choice but to flee for their lives from the crisis - hit African
country .
While I was inside that ghetto , where it was impossible to escape, I
heard that a man who called himself Rambo had killed a migrant , ” one of the
witnesses said according to the police statement.
“ My cousin and others tried to escape but they were caught and
tortured nearly to death , ” the witness said .
Another said : “ Once I saw Rambo the Nigerian kill a migrant he had
gagged and tortured for a long time ” , while yet another said he “ personally
saw two people beaten to death , an underage boy and a man killed by Rambo ” .
– Extortion, murder –
The latter was “ killed by Rambo in front of the victim ’ s brother .
When he killed the man Rambo pointed a gun at the brother and told him not to
tell his family anything and to get them to immediately send money ” for their
release .
Ogais was found staying at a reception centre in Isola di Capo Rizzuto
, one of the largest such centres in Italy , and the scene of mass arrests last
month over a mafia scandal which capitalised on asylum seekers .
Libya has long been a stepping stone for migrants seeking a better life
in Europe and people smugglers have stepped up their lucrative business in the
chaos which has engulfed the country since its 2011 revolution .
People rescued at sea have described harrowing ransom situations in
which captors lock up migrants and demand their families send money to buy
their freedom . Those who fail to comply are executed .
Reports have also emerged of ruthless traffickers burying people alive
on the beaches of Libya if they refuse to board unseaworthy dinghies and
overcrowded boats.
Despite the dangers, many of those arriving in Libya — fleeing conflict
or poverty — find it almost impossible to get out again, if not by sea .
According to the UN ’ s International Organization for Migration , there
are between 700 , 000 and one million people in Libya awaiting their chance to
cross.
Over 77 , 000 people have tried to cross the Mediterranean to Europe
since the beginning of the year , the UN ’ s refugee agency said Tuesday ,
while close to 2 , 000 people have died trying .
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