Police break human trafficking ring abusing young Slovak women

Police officers of the Bureau of Border and Alien Police have been busy in recent days with cases of people smuggling and human trafficking in eastern Slovakia. One case concerned a well-organised trafficking ring operating in Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Belgium and Denmark. In Slovakia, the criminals were acquiring young women for forced marriages, based on tips and recommendations particularly among socially disadvantages groups in Kosice and the vicinity. "They promised the women jobs abroad with accommodation and good pay. It was only in the car en route to Bratislava or Vienna, when they would learn that they are to become victims of forced marriage. If they refused to be wed, they were threatened and both mentally and physically abused," said Police Corps Presidium spokesman Michal Slivka. The women were transported to Germany or Belgium, where they met their future husbands from countries outside the EU and subsequently were officially wed in Denmark. After the marriage the victims returned to Germany or Belgium, where foreigners acquired permits to reside in EU countries based on their wedding lists. For one wedding, the group allegedly earned €3,000. Two Slovak nationals are already in custody and charged with human trafficking. If found guilty they could face up to 12 years in jail.