Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The government informed the parliament on Monday that some 2,459 Bangladeshis have been detained in jails in 32 countries across the world.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni in a written reply to a question from Shah Zirul Ahmed informed the House that concerned missions and consulates of Bangladesh were looking into the matter and taking measures to free them.
The highest number of 843 persons were detained in Malaysia, followed by 375 in United Arab Emirates, 188 in the United Kingdom, 180 in Singapore, 173 in Algeria, 161 in Oman, 125 in Qatar, 82 in Libya and 78 in Greece.
In response to another question, the foreign minister informed that the government would open a mission in Khartoum, Sudan, within this year
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Besides, necessary approvals have been obtained for opening missions in Kabul in Afghanistan, Free Town in Sierra Leon, Lisbon in Portugal, Port Louis in Mauritius, Beirut in Lebanon, Kunming in China, Milan in Italy and in Mexico and Denmark, she added.
The closed down missions in Brazil, Algeria, Poland and Romania would be reopened and moves are on to open deputy high commissions at Mumbai, Chennai and Gouhati in India, the minister said in her written reply.
BBN/SSR/ANS-28Sept10-10:41 am (BST)