KATHMANDU: The police have arrested two operators of a travel agency on charges of trafficking individuals to enlist in the Russian army.

The apprehended individuals are Arjun Shrestha, alias Arjun Sunar, 31, from Gorkha, currently residing in Kathmandu, and Sher Bahadur Rai, alias Shekhar, 35, residing in Jorpati, Kathmandu, originally from Solukhumbu.

They reportedly enticed unemployed youth with promises of high-paying jobs at a Russian hotel, demanding an upfront payment of NPR 600,000.

According to police reports, they received NPR 600,000 from each of the victims—Shankar Karki, Rajan Rai, and Bikas Rai—and arranged their travel to Russia. Upon arrival, the victims were coerced into paying an additional $800. However, Karki, upon reaching Russia, discovered that the promised hotel job was nonexistent. Instead, he was advised to undergo training and enlist in the army. He fled back to Kathmandu and filed a report with the Crime Investigation Bureau.

The arrested individuals face charges of human trafficking to Russia and related offenses. The Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range apprehended both operators of Alaska Travels from Maitighar and Thapagaun on Thursday.

They have been transferred to the District Police Office in Teku for necessary legal proceedings concerning human trafficking and deceit. Furthermore, ongoing investigations focus on Rajan Rai and Bikas Rai’s alleged enlistment in the Russian army based on falsified documents and their involvement in deceiving unemployed individuals with false employment promises in Russia.