Syed

Trigger warning: this video contains mentions of physical violence.

On April 26th 2025, Syed, from Pakistan, was rescued from a fiberglass boat. His rescue put an end to five years in Libya, including two years in detention without having anyone to talk to. As he had no money to pay for his way out, he had to suffer torture and sexual violence. Even if he finally found safety and the ability to sleep again in peace onboard the Ocean Viking, he knows these traumatic events will affect his mental health for a long time. Hear Syed’s story in his own word by watching his powerful testimony on our Instagram.

I was in Libya for 5 years, and I was detained for two years. My life was difficult there. Libyan people want only dollars, and everybody there is mafia. I didn’t have any money to pay them, so I spent a long time in jail. If I had money, I could have get outside in two days. But I didn’t have money.

My situation is Pakistan was not good as well, and my parents couldn’t pay for me. 

Really, I cannot explain my time there [in Libya]. If I do it, I might cry. I cannot believe it.

Someone used to beat me [when I was in jail]. If I show my body, you cannot believe it. He always beat me for money, but I didn’t have money, not even one dollar, and he was requesting 10,000 dollars.

He gave me bread after two days, but no water, and there was no bathroom. I was alone. There were only horses and goats around me, I was alone.  For two years, I didn’t have a talk with anyone. He was coming every two days, five days sometimes, to give me bread, and that’s all.

He was saying “I want money, give me the number of your father, your mother, your sister”. I said that I didn’t have any family because I know he was going to send videos to my mother, and she could die because of stress.

I had to sell my body for this, sexually, if you see what I mean. I am a big man, but I cannot do anything there. He gave me punishments every day. I cannot explain, sorry, but for me it is difficult.

I don’t want to remember this time of my life. I want to warn everyone not to come here, being illegal in the streets is not good, there is a very big risk for your life.

And I can say that because I was in Libya for five years, so I know Libya very well. They say, “If you don’t pay, I will kill you” and I have a belief that they can really kill me. I am upset in my mind, because I have seen too many problems in Libya. I swear, in my mind I am really upset.

Last night here, my mind could not accept that I am going to Italy, I was still thinking “No, no, I am in Libya”.

But I finally had a good sleep, after three years, without being afraid, without stress. Just last night [on board], after three years. 

I want help. I want somebody to listen to my situation and who can understand this way is not good for life. I need a psychologist, who could sit with me. I want to talk to him about my situation and maybe my mind will heal. When you have a life, you can do anything, and when you don’t have a life, you have nothing, no future.

I think I am a strong man because maybe someone else could have died in this situation. You cannot live in one room without bed, without washroom, for two years. Not two days, but two years.

Sometimes I haven’t eaten for five days, six days, he didn’t give me water, nothing. It was dangerous for me but thanks for my God, he helped me and today I am here. 

I know I still need time, but I can do anything. I can learn the language in Europe, I want to work, I want to have a good life for me and for my family. That’s all. I can work in restaurants, in coffee shops, as a security guard, I can do anything. I have power, I am a strong man, thanks for God. It gave me a lot of power.   

I am 35 years [old], but when you look at me, you will think I am a 200-year-old man. But I am a young man. All of this because of Libya.  

I heard this travel was good, so I came. But I did not know anything about it. It is very dangerous. I want to warn anyone from Pakistan, not to take this road. It is not good either for you or your family. You cannot believe how dangerous it is. I really request from all people, nobody should come here, this way is not good, it is only dangerous.”