Yekaterinburg Student Enslaved in Myanmar on Friend's Advice

The mother of 21-year-old Madina from Yekaterinburg described how her daughter ended up in slavery in Myanmar. The girl, who was studying at a railway college, went abroad during the summer break to earn money.

«She was invited there; she went on the advice of a friend. That friend had already gone and told her that everything was fine, that the employer was reliable,» Madina’s mother said. «I don’t even know what job she did. I asked her, and she said: «Mom, don’t worry, everything is fine.» And she didn’t tell me anything else.»

The family lives in a Ural village, located about 100 km (62 miles) from Yekaterinburg. The girl’s father died in 2018, and the mother was left alone with four children. Madina has a younger sister and two brothers.

The student left to earn money in June, but did not tell her family that she had been taken captive.

«I didn’t lose her; we were in touch. I wrote to her constantly, and she replied that everything was fine,» says the mother. «I learned about the slavery from the news. Everyone started showing her. Of course, a mother’s heart sank; I was in shock. I immediately wrote to her: «Honey, how are you?» She remains silent, not answering.»

The Russian Embassy in Thailand reported that the girl was freed from a criminal call center, where she was held against her will and forced to work.

«Madina arrived in Thailand at the invitation of an «employer,» after which she was forcibly moved to Myanmar and involved in illegal activities,» the diplomatic mission noted.

The freed student was sent to a migration center in the city of Myawaddy. She is expected to return to Russia soon.