A young Indian student from Gujarat, currently held as a prisoner of war in Ukraine, has issued a heartfelt video appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government, pleading for assistance to secure his release and return home.
From Student to Soldier: A Harrowing Journey
Sahil Mohamed Hussein Majothi, a 23-year-old resident of Morbi's Kalika Plot area, travelled to Russia on a student visa on January 10, 2024. He intended to pursue a course in Russian Language and Culture at ITMO University in St Petersburg. However, his academic dreams soon turned into a nightmare.
According to his accounts in video messages sent to his family, Majothi faced financial and visa issues, which led him into trouble. He claims he was falsely implicated in a narcotics case, arrested, and subsequently sentenced to seven years in a Russian jail. Desperate to escape imprisonment, he alleges he was misled by Russian police into signing a contract to fight in the war against Ukraine.
A Desperate Plea from Captivity
In two video messages—one in English and another in Hindi—received by his family on Sunday night and purportedly shared by Ukrainian authorities, Majothi sends a stark warning to fellow Indians. "Right now I am stuck in Ukraine as a war criminal," he states. "I want to send a message to my Indian citizens. Those Indians coming to Russia for higher studies or work, be careful because there are so many scammers here. You may be trapped in criminal cases, narcotics cases, illegal cases."
He directly appeals to the Indian leadership, saying, "I appeal to the Indian government, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and S Jaishankar, if possible, please help." In the English video, he references Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India on December 4 and 5, urging the Indian government to discuss his case during those talks to facilitate his return.
Family's Fight and Legal Battle
His mother, Hasinaben Samsudinbhai Majothi, a cancer patient, has been tirelessly campaigning for her son's release. She confirms receiving the videos from Ukrainian authorities and states that even they are willing to hand Sahil over. The family recently travelled to Delhi to meet officials and politicians, submitting applications to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Hasinaben had earlier moved the Delhi High Court, alleging her son was framed in a false case in Russia as part of a ploy to extort money from the family. The court, on November 3, directed the Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs to appoint a liaison officer to establish contact with Ukrainian authorities and work towards Sahil's repatriation. The court also urged authorities to facilitate contact between Sahil and his ailing mother. The next hearing is scheduled for February 2.
The videos bear the logo of "I Want to Live", a Ukrainian government project for prisoners of war willing to surrender. The family last heard from Sahil on April 10, 2024, when he called to say Russian police were arresting him before the line went dead.
A Cautionary Tale for Indian Nationals
This distressing case highlights significant risks for Indian citizens travelling to Russia for work or study amidst the ongoing conflict. Majothi's explicit warning serves as a grave advisory. The Indian government, through its diplomatic channels, is now actively engaged, as per the Delhi High Court's order, in efforts to locate, contact, and repatriate the young man from Morbi, whose life has been tragically upended by war.
