The family of Kenyan athlete Evans Kibet, who is being held in Ukraine as a prisoner of war, is appealing to the Kenyan government to intervene and help secure his release and return home.
Kibet was allegedly duped by fake agents who promised him an invitation to compete in races in Russia and help him secure other employment.
He instead ended up being recruited into the Russian military despite having no military training.
His family has been waiting for news about his fate, with his mother making repeated appeals for assistance since July last year.
Kibet’s case is similar to that of other citizens from Global South countries who Amnesty International says have been lured into the Russian military through promises of civilian jobs.
Those seeking employment are reportedly promised jobs such as driving and cooking, as well as attractive salaries, only to discover upon arrival in Russia that the reality is different.
Some recruits have reportedly had their passports and mobile phones confiscated after signing military contracts, while others say they were prevented from leaving military camps.
Amnesty International is calling on Russia to immediately stop what it describes as deceptive recruitment practices and is urging countries whose citizens may be at risk to warn their populations about job advertisements linked to recruitment into the Russian military.
