Police charge group who forced disabled to beg abroad

Police have pressed charges against six individuals who are suspected of transporting at least 16 individuals from socially impoverished backgrounds and exploiting them as beggars, Police Corps President Tibor Gašpar and Vice-president Ľubomír Ábel announced at a press conference held on Tuesday. The six suspects were charged with human trafficking, and if found guilty, they might be sentenced to 7-12 years in jail. Their 16 victims, some of whom are disabled, were forced to beg for money in Salzburg in Austria, Olten in Switzerland and Berlin. "In some cases they also suffered physical beatings," added Ábel. Each victim managed to make €100-300 daily via begging, which they had to surrender to the accused, leaving themselves with only minimal sums for food.