Migrants Bound For UK Kidnapped, Threatened with Organ Removal

More than 300 migrants heading to the UK last summer were kidnapped, tortured, and threatened with forced organ removal in Libya, the BBC has learned.

The victims were young men from Iraqi Kurdistan who were travelling through Libya on their way to Europe. According to the report, they were seized by a militia group that demanded a ransom of $5,000 (£3,700) from each of their families. The armed group also threatened to remove their kidneys if the money was not paid quickly.

Some of the hostages who have since been released spoke to the BBC and shared details of their experience. They also provided photo evidence that suggests forced medical operations may have taken place, although this has not been fully confirmed.

The former captives said they were tortured and kept in very crowded rooms. Nearly 180 people were forced to share a single cell under harsh conditions. At least one migrant is known to have died, while the fate of many others remains unknown.

The militia group was originally expected to escort the migrants safely through Libya to the Mediterranean coast. However, a disagreement over payment reportedly broke out between the militia and Iraqi Kurdish people-smuggler Noah Aaron, who had arranged the journey. Aaron is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence in France for money laundering and smuggling offences.

The BBC investigation into another smuggler, Kardo Jaf, which led to his arrest, helped uncover details of the kidnappings. Both smugglers are believed to have worked together in the past and come from Ranya in Iraqi Kurdistan, an area known for active smuggling networks.

In February, a BBC team in Ranya was approached by a man who said his son had been among the victims. He explained that families paid large sums of money to smugglers to help migrants travel through North Africa, across the Mediterranean, and into Europe.

Libya is described as a dangerous transit country with weak government control, where armed militias operate freely. Because of this, smuggling networks often depend on armed groups to move migrants.

During the summer of 2025, groups of migrants arriving from Iraqi Kurdistan were taken to a guarded compound and held captive. The militia demanded $5,000 per person, claiming they were owed money from previous deals. Families were warned that if they did not pay quickly, organs would be taken instead.

The kidnappers also sent disturbing photos and videos to families. In one case, a young man was shown being told he would be taken to a doctor for kidney removal.

One father told the BBC he paid the ransom to free his son, who was among 110 people flown back home by the Iraqi government in January. He showed a photo of a scar on his son’s body, which he believes came from a forced operation.

After speaking to him, many other families came forward with similar claims and images. A UK medical consultant reviewed one photo and said the scar appeared consistent with a kidney operation incision, but organ removal has not been confirmed.

Kidnapping for ransom is common along migration routes through Libya. Experts say criminal groups take advantage of weak law enforcement in the country, making it difficult to stop or investigate such crimes.

Many hostages have now been released, but some families say they believe others may have been forced to pay with their organs. Survivors who returned to Ranya described severe abuse. One said his leg was burned during torture and showed visible scars.

A 16-year-old survivor said 178 people were kept in a small cell. He explained that they could not see sunlight for six months. All prisoners slept sitting up because there was no space to lie down. They shared a single toilet, and anyone who took too long was beaten.

Families said prisoners were given only one piece of bread a day, and even that depended on extra payments to the captors.

Despite these dangers, migration from Iraqi Kurdistan to Europe continues. Officials in the Kurdistan Regional Government say they are urging survivors to share their experiences to discourage others from making the journey.

However, officials also report ongoing cases of tragedy, including deaths linked to suspected organ removal. One official said a father buried his son in Ranya, only to later discover that two other relatives had already left for Europe.

He warned that people continue to take the risk despite knowing the dangers, saying, “The very sad part of this business is we do not learn,” says Merany.

Source: BBC