The Regional Court in Dobritch ordered an illegally acquired property for 208 000 BGN to be seized
The Regional Court in Dobritch ordered an illegally acquired property for 208 000 BGN to be seized in favor of the state, announced the press center of the Court House.
The Court upheld partly the claim of the State Commission for Confiscation of Illegally Obtained Assets against Metin I.I. (38 years old) and his wife. The defendant came to the attention of the Commission after a sentence passed on him for his participation in an organized criminal group during the period July to November in Dobrich, Varna and Germany. The group has been organized for the purpose of human trafficking for sexual exploitation.
According to the decision of the Regional Court in Dobritch a BMW, the amount of money from a sale of a Ford, three mobile phones and 64 banknotes of Euros are subject to confiscation. The Court declared a contract for the selling of trade and services building by his family null. Amount of money from the selling of another property is confiscated in favor of the state. According to the legal-economic expertise during the lawsuit, the expenses of the family exceed their legitimate incomes with 529 931 BGN which represents a difference equal to 2892 minimum wages, declares the spokesperson of the Court.
Duma daily: Bulgarian citizen is accused of trafficking ih numan beings
The courtroom is Stutgart is occupied by an important case of trafficking in human beings. The accused one is a restaurant owner wih Bulgarian origins. It is considered that he brought an 18-year-old Bulgarian girl to Germany, promising her a serious job. after that he made her prostitute.
Duma daily
10 July 2013
24 hours daily: Spouses sell prostitutes
The price – 100lv per hour, „extras“ are paid separately.
A family from Plovdiv and a taxi driver have been arrested due to selling sex services. Kostadin and Iliyana K. provided young women, aged between 18 and 28, to wealthy businessmen. The price was 100 lv per hour and if the client wanted more, or extras, he had to pay more. The pimps and the prostitutes divided the money equally among themselves. One of the women worked for the family for years. The taxi driver, Jan K., had to drive the prostitutes to the clients’ addresses. He had to collect the money from the client before the girl goes upstairs to the room or apartment and then bring it to the family.
Presa daily: A property for 1 milion BGN will be confiscated from a pimp
The police will confiscate Spas Lyalchev’s property. He is a convicted pimp.
The commission for confiscating illegal property will take most of his property among which are two cars Mercedes and Open. In those properties are also a hotel with a pool, restaurant and a café. All of the properties are located around Katunci, a village near Sandanski.
The actions for confiscating the property began in 2006 and the procedure started in 2009, a month after Lyalchev was convicted. The trial for taking away all of his property has gone through the courts positively for the Commission.
Telegraph daily: Six men offered prostitutes in Sofia
Six men sell prostitutes in Sofia. Policemen form Chief Directorate „Combating Organized Crime“ and Capital Directorate of Interior caught the groups during a classified operation 2 days ago. The policemen found out during the investigation that the group’s leader is a 43-year-old man from Sofia.
More Articles…
Presa daily: Most often Bulgarians and Romanias become victims of human trafficking
24 hours daily: Cholov’s model refused to have sex, a client raped her
Bild daily: Following the example of Sweden
Presa daily: Most often Bulgarians and Romanias become victims of human trafficking
61 % of the victims of trafficking in human beings in the European Union – 23 600 people, are citizens of Bulgaria and Romania, sys the EU commissioner Cecilia Malmström. This is part of a EU report for 2008-2010. She also says that most of these people are women who are made to prostitute or sell their children. According to her, trafficking in human beings is the modern slavery. She also admits that although all the international efforts, less and less traffickers are being caught.
24 hours daily: Cholov’s model refused to have sex, a client raped her
4 girls incriminate his agency, 12 others repudiate. A businessman from Plovdiv wanted to have a threesome with a winner from a beauty competition
I want to be a model and not to have sex, says a 17-year-old girl who is ambitious to have a career in modeling to the 40-year-old owner of her agency.
„The sex thing is not such a big deal. This way you can make a lot of money and good friends in the business.“ He claims, trying to convince her. Later the girl is made to go to the address of a wealthy man who rapes her.
Bild daily: Following the example of Sweden
Should prostitution be banned?
Sex for money. In Sweden there is a law against it. Should it be banned in Germany too?
In Germany prostitution is legal. The so called Law of prostitution aims to give women in this work field rights and social wellness. The most important is that legal prostitutions cannot be abused for labor. But is it really like this?
A group of 5 men that gained girls to have sex for money in Sofia was busted by Chief Directorate „Combating Organized Crime“ and Capital Directorate of Interior. The 5 men are arrested for 72 hours with charges for persuading for prostitution. According to the evidences, the group exists from March 2012.
Trud daily: Six Bulgarians arrested in Greece for trafficking in human beings
Six Bulgarians have been arrested by the police in Northern Greece for trafficking in human beings. The arrested are of age between 19 and 53. The suspects tried to take to Greece 11 illegal immigrants. Among them were 6 Syrians, 4 Afghans and 1 Iraqi.
3 May 2013
Trud daily
Telegraph daily: A channel for babies selling to Italy
A gipsy family sell their newborns for 10 000 euro each
The court refused to extradite the leader, he is now in prison for the same reason
A gipsy family from Peshtera got 9000 to 10 000 Euro for selling their newborns in Italy. The leader of the group is the head of the family – Asen G. He worked together with his wife and two sons.
Last week the magistrates discussed whether the leader, who is now in a Bulgarian prison, will be extradited to Italy. There is a European order for him to be arrested and he also was convicted to 6 years in prison in Italy for trafficking in newborns. The court in Pazardjik, however, refused to extradite him, because he is currently in prison in Bulgaria for the same crime. The magistrates in Italy couldn’t be sure that after the trial there, he’d be sent back to Bulgaria to service his sentence.
In his business took part also his wife Ivanka and two sons – Asen and Gancho. The family started the business 8 years ago when a neighbor of their complained that she was pregnant and she couldn’t take care of the baby as the father was away in Greece. Then Asen offered Kapka G. to take her to Italy where to give birth to her baby and then sell it. He promised her a profit of 2000 lv for the deal. The mother-to-be agreed and then the traffickers took her to the police station where she got her passport. This way the woman got out of the country absolutely legally and then arrived in Italy where stayed at a local resident who was also part of the illegal business. When she got in the hospital, Kapka suddenly got fake ID of a wife of an Italian citizen and then gave birth to a girl. The baby was adopted immediately by a family who wanted to have a child for a long time. Then the leader of the group paid the woman 400 euro of the promised 2000 lv. After he understood that this way of illegal trafficking gained profit for him, Asen and his two sons quickly found another pregnant victim – Nadka i., who had 4 children and didn’t have a place to live, because her husband was unemployed. After she gave birth in Italy, she got only 400 of the promised 1000 euro. Meanwhile the traffickers did the same with 2 more women before the 4 of them were caught. Right now, the whole family is behind bars, serving their sentences.
27.05.2013
Diana Varnikova, Telegraf newspaper
The Deputy Minister of Intern inaugurated a conference on the subject „Trafficking in human beings- measures for counteraction in the state policy and the role of the non governmental sector“.
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Hanns Seidel Foundation are the organizators of the forum. The two-day conference was inaugurated by the foundation’s Deputy Chairman and Bavaria Landtag’s deputy prof. Ursula Menle and by the Deputy Minister of Intern.
“Trud” newspaper: a German court made fun of a Bulgarian
Berlin, Vanya Encheva (correspondent of „Trud“ newspaper)
The German justice gave a slap in the face of a victim and encouraged criminals to exploit women in the most degrading way.
This was angrily stated yesterday by the lawyer Gudrun Meyer who defended a 20-year old Bulgarian who was forced into prostitution. The reason for the lawyer’s reaction was the extremely lowered sentence- a conditional punishment of a year and a half and a compensation of 19 300 euro, given by a court in Kassel, province of Hessen, to two exploiters. A 44-year old Greek and a 32-year old Bulgarian- his intimate friend, forced the unfortunate 20-year old to satisfy sexually different men 20 times a day in a rented apartment in Kassel.
The criminals took everything earned by the prostitute against her will. They forced the young woman to fulfill even the most perverse clients’ caprices, most of the times without a condom. This way she got gonorrhea.
Spring Academy for Volunteers 27 – 29 March 2013, Plovdiv
During the period 27 – 29th of March 2013 the city of Plovdiv is hosting the annual Academy of volunteers, organized by the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings – Plovdiv.
On 29th of March (Friday) 2013, at 11 am in the „Ballroom“ of Imperial Hotel in Plovdiv will be held an official ceremony for the end of the Spring Volunteers Academy 2013, when certificates will be bestow to the volunteers of the Local Commissions for combating Trafficking in Human Beings, who have participated in the Academy.
The event will be attended by Mr. George Tyutyukov Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv city and Chairman of the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Antoaneta Vassileva, Secretary of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Mr. Bogdan Mirchev , head of the „Hanns Seidel“ Bulgaria.
The awarding of certificates to the volunteers who participated in the academy will be open to the media.
Every year the Volunteer campus gathers students from all over the country who participate actively in the prevention of trafficking, a part of the national and regional campaigns in the cities where there are local structures for combating trafficking in human beings. In the days of dedicated work on the problems associated with this phenomenon, young people are introduced in detail with the ways of prevention from risk situations, acquire skills to implement preventive programs on topics related to human trafficking, to be able to practise and receive training to teach their peers.
Turned into tradition, the Volunteer Academy of the National Commission is accomplished this year again with the financial support of foundation „Hanns Seidel“ Bulgaria.
A criminal group recruiting prostitutes in Plovdiv was busted
Employees of Chief Directorate „Combating Organized Crime“ have neutralized a criminal group recruiting prostitutes.
The operation was accomplished on the territory of the city of Plovdiv yesterday, stated the Ministry of interior.
During the operation three men were arrested, including the organizer of the criminal activity.
Annually over 500 000 persons become victims of human trafficking worldwide. Bulgaria is among the most affected countries by this problem in the European Union that is why the Bulgarian National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings was created. In addition to the victims’ protection the Commission has two shelters in Varna and Bourgas where they can be accommodated.
This year will start a project for the establishment of a shelter in Sofia. What dictates this, and which are the partners of the Commission, you may find out in the interview of George Kolyovski with the Secretary General of the Commission, Mrs. Antoaneta Vassileva (you could listen the interview in Bulgarian on the link bellow).
11/02/2013
Source: http://radiosofia.bnr.bg/Shows/Current/Chui-Sofia/Pages/110213trafic.aspx
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings together with Manpower Bulgaria launched a joint campaign for the prevention of human trafficking aimed at labor exploitation, entitled „Zero Tolerance for Human Trafficking“ which is also supported by the representation of the international nongovernmental organization A21 for Bulgaria. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness among the citizens for the problems related to human trafficking for labor exploitation as well as raising the engagement of the employers in the prevention of this phenomenon.
This is what was announced today on a conference by Mr. Tzvetan Tzvetanov, deputy prime-minister and chairman of the NCCTHB, Mrs. Nadya Vassileva, executive director of Manpower Bulgaria, Serbia and Croatia, as well as Mrs. Victoria Raf, chairman of the international nongovernmental organization A21 for Bulgaria.
Minister Tzvetanov underlined that the efforts in this campaign will be directed not only at raising awareness among the people who are looking for a job outside the country and are planning to undertake trips abroad for student brigades or seasonal work, but also at the engagement of the employers as a key factor for respecting the correctness of the labor legal relations.
He outlined the current dimensions of the problem in the country by noting that the identified victims of trafficking for the past year were 137 Bulgarian citizens, of whom 113 were men and 24 were women. In comparison to the victims of 2011 – 91, their number has increased which is due to the improved system of identification and support of the victims.
Minister Tzvetanov noted that the people who could fall into a risky situation are the ones looking for opportunities for seasonal work abroad, mostly in the area of agriculture, construction and services. All of the young people who are using the chance to work and travel abroad through the student brigades during the summer season should be extremely careful. The most common countries of destination of traffic of people for labor exploitation are the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland and Sweden.
Minister Tzvetanov stressed on a few key details, that should be taken into account by the people who are planning their trips, namely – to check whether the agency they are using has a license, which could be done on the website of the Employment Agency where there is a list of the licensed labor intermediaries. If the people have no access to internet, the team of the NCCTHB can do the check. It is good if the people are not trusting some suspicious job advertisements, which contain promises for a tempting remuneration to low qualified work abroad. It should be remembered that there are many cases where familiar people or friends have misled the victims, consciously or not, with a tempting offer for a job abroad. Before starting work abroad, it is obligatory for the people to sign a contract that states the terms of the job and the time for which they are hired. It is also obligatory for the people to receive a copy of their contract in Bulgarian language (or another language they understand) as well as in the official language of the country of the employer. It is very important that the people do not give their identity documents to anybody, under no circumstances. It is good before their trip for the people to get in touch with some of the organizations that provide more information about the opportunities for safe travel and work abroad so that they can inform themselves, advise themselves or check the company that is acting as an intermediary, as well as the address and the telephone number of the Bulgarian representation in the country they are going to. If they are already into a risky situation it is important that the people seek for help by the police in the country where they are as they are victims of crime and they will be taken care of.
Minister Tzvetanov also underlined the role of the employers in the limitation of this phenomenon, as well as the significance of the partnerships among the institutions, nongovernmental and private sector in the combat against human trafficking.
Mrs. Nadya Vassileva, executive director of Manpower Bulgaria, a consultancy company in the area of talents, presented the data of a research for the awareness about the problem „trafficking in human beings“ conducted among 420 job candidates in Manpower Bulgaria. According to the results of the research, 39% of the job-seekers have not even heard about trafficking in people, while 58% have heard of the problem. 40 of people have heard about the problem from the media. Only 3 of the 420 people know a person who has become a victim of trafficking. 29 people associate the human trafficking with a crime, 20 people associate it with persuasion in prostitution and children trafficking, while 10 of the questioned – with looking for a job abroad.
„The results of the research conducted by Manpower Bulgaria among its candidates are really disturbing. The fact that only 58% the people looking for a job know about the existence of the problem is really alarming. As a socially responsible company, with the present initiative we are setting the aim to alarm the society, the employers and all of the others affected about the gravity of the problem and the need for urgent measures for dealing with it.“ – said Mrs. Vassileva. – „Manpower Bulgaria is calling for the employers in Bulgaria to engage with the cause for coping with the human trafficking as the first step is the signing of the Athens Ethical Principles,“ – added Mrs. Vassileva.
„Manpower is actively participating in the campaigns: End of Human Trafficking Now!; Not for Sale Campaign which is fully directed at the combat against the modern slavery and is one of the first companies that have signed the Athens Principles for policy and zero tolerance toward any organization, associated in any way with the human trafficking as a form of modern day slavery. Manpower is against any labor practices that exploit or discriminate specific groups of people.
Manpower is leading the business initiative for decreasing the volumes of human trafficking by attracting employers who are going to join us and to proclaim themselves for ethical practices on the labor market.“ said Mrs. Vassileva. „On the website of Manpower Bulgaria http://bit.ly/WjNlDA one can find more information on the topic, and on http://manpowerbg.com/form/ each employer who wants to join the cause could declare his desire by ratifying the Athens Ethical Principles“, added Mrs. Vassileva.
„Manpower has launched many similar initiatives in many countries around the world. „The present initiative aims at creating a global corporate coalition against the human trafficking; to raise awareness among more people about the gravity of the problem; to help the victims of this modern day slavery to join the society again and to find their place in it again by finding the appropriate job; as well as the creation of ethical practices for fair and dignified treatment of the workers,“ Mrs. Nadya Vassileva underlined. „The engagement of more companies from the business is a critical step in the fight for coping with human trafficking. Trafficking in people is a global problem and could be overcome only through mobilization and a global approach. Even in a developing economy like Bulgaria the modern day slavery is an issue. And that is the reason to welcome the launch of this new initiative on the road to coping with human trafficking.“
Mrs. Victoria Raf, representative for Bulgaria of the international nongovernmental organization A21 that works on the problem of human trafficking in 6 countries – Australia, USA, UK Greece, Ukraine and Bulgaria, presented a few real stories of victims of human trafficking and described the way A21 helps that saved from trafficking people for whom it is extremely important to be reintegrated into the society so that they can have an adequate life, in spite of the caused by the trafficking traumas. The organization is working in a few main directions – support for the victims of trafficking in crisis centers and protected homes; prevention and raise of the social awareness about the problem; legal support for victims of trafficking and claims against traffickers.
Trafficking in human people aimed at labor exploitation is the typical example of why the phenomenon is defined as a modern day form of slavery. The informed choice can protect us from falling into a risky situation.
Minister Tsvetanov is going to hold public lectures on the subject “trafficking in human beings”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, is going to participate in a series of public lectures on the subject „trafficking in human beings“ in several universities in the country.
The students from universities in Sofia, Plovdiv and Blagoevgrad will have the opportunity to attend the lectures on 11th, 12thand 13th December 2012.
New Bulgarian University is going to host the seminar on 11th December. The event is going to take place at 14.30h in the hall of the university. On 12th December a lecture is going to be held at the Medical university in Plovdiv and then, on 13th December, the Southwestern university „Neofit Rilski“ in Blagoevgrad is going to host the event.
Trafficking in human beings is a very serious crime which violates basic human rights. Furthermore, it brings enormous profit to its perpetrators obtained by fraud, violence and exploitation. Awareness and thoughtful choice of one’s future are the main ways of avoiding such a risky situation. They’re also the basis of prevention, which is a key element of the fight against this phenomenon.
The events take place as part of the national awareness campaign of the National commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
Region struggles with shadow economy
Poor economic conditions lead to large numbers of undocumented workers.
By Katica Djurovic for Southeast European Times in Belgrade – 21/01/13
Seasonal jobs like construction draw significant numbers of undocumented workers.
Milijana Bozic has worked as a bartender for nearly 10 years, but the 33-year-old Belgrade resident doesn’t have a single day recorded in her employment record.
She is among the estimated hundreds of thousands of people in Serbia and nearby countries who work without documentation – an unregulated segment of the economy that annually costs governments across the region billions of euros.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERT CONFERENCE
MAKING PREVENTION WORK: ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN EUROPE
The Council of Europe, in partnership with the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB) organizes International Conference on expert level „MAKING PREVENTION WORK: ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN EUROPE“ which will be held in the period 4-5 of December in Hilton Hotel, Sofia.
The conference aims to share experience and to encourage the discussion for the different aspects of human trafficking emphasizing the approach to the human rights and the international co-operation. The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings containing legal responsibilities in the prevention area as well as the reports of GRETA which is observing the execution of the Convention would draw the framework of the discussions.
Within the framework of the Conference the following thematic modules are planned:
Prevention among the minorities at risk, with special focus on the Roma communities;
Measures to discourage the demand, including trough public-private partnership;
Role of the research and data collection in the prevention of human trafficking;
Alternative and interactive awareness-raising methods.
The conference would be opened by Ms Diana Kovatcheva, Minister of Justice of Republic of Bulgaria and Ms Marja Ruotanen, Director of Justice and Human Dignity within the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law to the Council of Europe.
More than 100 experts from all 47th country-members of the Council of Europe, distinguished professionals from national and international organizations as well as representatives of the non-governmental and the private sector will take part to the Conference.
Within the framework of the Introduction to Module work, Mr Nicolas Le Coz, President of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), Ms Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Mr. Julien Bourtembourg, International Relations Officer to the European Commissionwhich as well as Ms Dzhema Grozdanova, Head of the Bulgarian delegation to PACE will give a general overview of the efforts for prevention of human trafficking by an approach based on the human rights.
Within the framework of Module 1: Prevention among minorities at risk, with a special focus on the Roma communities Mr Ilian Rizov, Chairman, NGO „Sauchastie“, Bulgaria, Ms Kadrije Kruja, Specialist for Roma, Egyptian Community and Disability, Albania, Mr Cor de VOS, CAHROM representative, the Netherlands and H.E. Ms Guro Katharina Vikør, Ambassador of Norway in Bulgaria will be the keynote speakers.
Mr Enrico Ragaglia, Project Officer, ICMPD, Ms Tatiana Fomina, Analytical & Juridical Department Manager, La Strada, Moldova, Ms Rita Penedo, Consultant, Observatory on THB, Portugal and Ms Linda Eriksson Baca, Regional Thematic Specialist on Counter-Trafficking, IOM Brussels will be the keynote speakers of Module 2: Role of research and data collection in the prevention of trafficking in human beings.
The keynote speakers of Module 3: Measures to discourage demand, including through private-public partnerships will be Ms Simone Heri, Associate Expert, UNODC, Ms Ivana Schellongova, Senior Programme Manager, „End Human Trafficking Now“, Switzerland, Mr Patrik Cederlof, National coordinator against prostitution and trafficking, Sweden, Mr Darryl Dixon, Director of Strategy, Gangmasters Licensing Authority, UK and Ms Petia Dimitrova, CEO and Chairperson of the MB of Postbank, Bulgaria.
Within the framework of Module 4: Alternative/ interactive awareness-raising methods Ms Lisa Cohen, Supervising Producer, CNN „Freedom Project“, Ms Julia Immonen, Director „Sport for freedom“, the A21 Campaign, UK, Ms Ruth Randall, film maker and campaign manager „Two Little Girls“, UK and Ms Mariana Yevsyukova, Director of Legal Department, La Strada Ukraine, representing ECPAT International will be the keynote speakers.
You could download short information on the speakers, moderators and rapporteurs here.
At its 9th meeting (12-13 November 2012), the Committee of the Parties to the Convention held elections for 13 members of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA). Five of the current GRETA members were re-elected for a second term of four years, and eight new members were elected for the first time. The term of office of the 13 members will run from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016.
The new composition of GRETA is as follows:
Ms Vessela BANOVA (Bulgarian) – re-elected
Ms Alina BRAŞOVEANU (Moldovan)
Mr Olafs BRUVERS (Latvian)
Mr Frédéric KURZ (Belgian)
Ms Leonor LADRÓN de GUEVARA Y GUERRERO (Spanish) – re-elected
Mr Nicolas LE COZ (French) – re-elected
Ms Kateryna LEVCHENKO (Ukrainian)
Ms Alexandra MALANGONE (Slovak) – re-lected
Ms Siobhán MULLALLY (Irish)
Mr Ryszard PIOTROWICZ (British)
Mr Helmut SAX (Austrian) – elected in 2010 for a term of office until the end of 2014
Ms Gulnara SHAHINIAN (Armenian) – re-elected
Mr Mihai ŞERBAN (Romanian)
Ms Rita THEODOROU SUPERMAN (Cypriot)
Mr Jan van DIJK (Dutch) – elected in 2010 for a term of office until the end of 2014.
btvnews.bg: The husband of the model Irena Milyankova arrested for trafficking in human beings
The husband of the fashion model Irena Milyankova – Rosen Cholov (also known as Cholata) – was arrested yesterday during a raid of the GDCOC against a group engaged in trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation, the Ministry of Intern announced for bTV. According to the police statement, he was the leader of the group.
Apart from being a model, Irena Milyankova is also famous for being the mother of 4 children, the first of whom she gave birth to when she was 15 years old, as well as for starring in a television series.
According to the gathered data the father of Milyankova’s children and his two accomplices from Ruse and Kyustendil were recruiting young girls to whom they used to offer jobs in the model agency FH1.
The offers were seductive – participation in catwalk shows, photo sessions and videos. At a later stage the criminals would begin to persuade the „employees“ to offer sexual services by promising them good remuneration.
For the scope, rooms in expensive hotels were used, there were Bulgarian and foreign citizens among the clients. The prices of the sex services varied from 500 and 1 000 leva, depending on the offered „extras“. Some of the girls were underage.
Today the agency was closed, but there was the 20-year old Merilin. She doesn’t know that the agency is indicated by the Ministry of Intern as a cover for elite escorts, so she comes for an interview. „I’m coming for something like an interview, I won a competition and they offered me a job. They told me they liked me from the agency“, the girl said.
Rosen Cholov is the Chairman of the Bulgarian rugby federation. He is reckoned to be close to the Margins.
27.11.2012
Source: http://btvnews.bg/kriminalno/mzht-na-modela-irena-milyankova-arestuvan-za-trafik-na-hora.html
Vacancies for experts with good experience in the field of human trafficking
Within the Project „Integrated approach for prevention of labour exploitation in origin and destination countries“, ANITP contracts for a fixed period 3 international experts to sustain lectures within 9 regional seminars on human trafficking, focusing on labour exploitation, which will be organized in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYROM and Greece. The experts will assist the relevant actors – labour inspectors, judges, police officers, social workers, representatives of NGOs, participating within regional seminars, to increase knowledge about labour exploitation and improve their cooperation.
For further information visit: http://anitp.mai.gov.ro/en/index.php?pagina=posturi-vacante/*
news.bg: 18-year-old arrested for human trafficking
18-year-old was arrested for human trafficking and prostitution incitement during a specialized raid realized by employees of sectors „Combating Organized Crime“ and „Fighting Criminality“, Veliko Tarnovo.
The operation was carried out after a receipt of information from the Czech authorities about the case. Thus, after preliminary investigation, on November 6, forensics and anti-mafia ‘attacked’ the lodging of the 18-year-old A.A. in the village Yantra where they found his victim: a 20-year-old Czech citizen.
offnews.bg: Victims of human trafficking are increasing in 2012
Cases of trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation escalate the trend for 2012 is the total number of victims who are known to the authorities, is significantly higher than last year. This shows the statistics of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. The larger number of known cases is explained mainly by the fact that more and more people dare to report such crimes. The main causes of trafficking are poverty, lack of education and lack of awareness.
PAYING FOR SEX WITH A VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING IS A CRIME
A CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS
The consequences of our crimes long survive their commission.
Walter Scott
Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime against the personality, the human rights, the dignity and the confidence, violation of the universal ethical norms and moral values. Human trafficking is also a well organized and extremely profitable criminal offence which brings huge income for its perpetrators.
One of the most often forms of the crime is trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Victims are mostly young women, usually tricked with the promise to work or study abroad, and then embroiled in exploitation against their will. In other case the girls became emotionally attached to their traffickers who take advantage of the girls ‘feelings, sometimes supported by promise for marriage and make them work as prostitutes. In most cases the trafficker convinces the girl that the situation is temporary and she sacrifices herself in the name of the common future which never comes. This method for recruiting girls has the non-formal name „loverboy“ or „the lover“ and is one of the present „delicate“ approaches, used by the traffickers for attracting the victims. Very often friends, close people or even relatives take part in the crime. There are cases when girls choose prostitution in order to earn money but they are also exploited by the traffickers in such a way that they are deprived from their right to make a free choice. Not only are the young women vulnerable; traffickers also take advantage of under-aged girls and boys. Sometimes they abuse people with mental disorders who could be misled and manipulated extremely easy. Each human destiny for the criminals is just a source of income.
„Trafficking in human beings“ means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, concealment or acceptance of human beings, regardless of their own will, by means of coercion, abduction, deprivation of liberty, fraud, abuse of power, abuse of a state of dependence, or by means of giving, receiving or promising benefits to obtain the consent of a person who has control over another person, when it is carried out for the purpose of exploitation“ (Internatoinal definition of trafficking in human heings, Article 2 of the Palermo Protocol)
Once involved in human trafficking for sexual exploitation, victims are controlled by different means: threat, force, abuse of power. The coercion could be reached with violence, both physical and mental, or emotional blackmailing. Very often victims of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation are dependent, with no documents, abroad in country where they don’t know the language. In most of the cases they don’t have the right of free movement, they are threatened about the security of their families. Victims are also raped, beaten, tortured…
„Women trafficking and forced prostitution could be defined as:
Women trafficking means every legal or illegal transportation of women and/or trade with them, with or without their initially consent, for a financial profit and forward forced prostitution, forced marriage or other forms of forced sexual exploitation. The use of coercion could be physical, sexual and/or mental intimidation and abuse of power or state of dependence.“ (Definitions, MATRA Programme, project Juridical Cooperation in Bulgaria, Mrs Rumiana Tozova)
In 2009 Bulgaria was one of the first countries which harmonized its legislation with article 19 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. By this article the consciously use of victims of trafficking in human beings, is a criminal offence.
Criminal Code of Republic of Bulgaria, article 159c. (New – SG, edition 27 from 2009)
A person who takes advantage of a person who suffered from human trafficking for acts of debauchery, forceful labour, dispossession of bodily organs or holding him in forceful subjection, regardless of his consent shall be punished by deprivation of liberty from three to ten years and a fine from BGN ten thousand to twenty thousand.
If you have any concerns you can call:
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings – tel. +359 2 807 80 50
(from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 17:30)
The Local Commissions for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, working from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 17:30 in the towns:
Varna – tel. +359 52 303 576
Burgas – tel. +359 56 90 72 71
Ruse – tel. +359 82 841 918
Sliven – tel. +359 44 61 11 02
Montana – tel. +359 96 305 471
Pazardzik – tel. +359 34 402 241
Plovdiv – tel. +359 32 63 27 81
Blagoevgrad – tel. + 359 73 86 77 77
„Association Animus“ Foundation – tel. +359 2 981 76 86
National hot line for children 116 111 – tel. 116 111
PAYING FOR SEX WITH A VICTIM OF TRAFFICKING IS A CRIME!
btvnews.bg: Bulgarian citizen accused of human trafficking arrested in Italy
The Italian Police arrested Bulgarian citizen, wanted on charges related to human trafficking, who was hiding from justice.
The arrested Vasil Kostov was sentenced to 25 years in prison in Bulgaria, stated „Foggia Today.“
He was arrested on Sept. 5-th in San Severo. Upon his arrest Kostov in a car with two personal bodyguards. He was carrying false documents.
Source: http://btvnews.bg/kriminalno/blgarin-obvinen-v-trafik-na-hora-zadrzhan-v-italiya.html
The campaign was launched on October 10 with an exhibition of posters, paintings and collages made by students from Bulgaria and Romania. The exhibition is arranged in the foyer of The Hall, Municipality of Ruse and can be seen until October 20. The campaign will end on December 10 – International Human Rights Day.
dnes.bg: 60 immigrants drowned in Turkey, 30 of them – children
Sixty illegal immigrants, half of them children, drowned after a fishing boat sank near the western coast of Turkey, reported btv.
The passengers, most of whom are Palestinian immigrants were hoping to reach Europe. Among the victims are three babies.
dnes.bg: Human trafficking on the island – for slaves and organ donors
Last year in the UK were identified 2,077 people who were victims of human traffickers, the newspaper „The Guardian“ аquired, citing a 2011 report by the British Centre for study of human trafficking.
Just under a third – 31 percent – of the victims of trafficking in the UK are used for sexual exploitation.
vesti.bg: Tsvetanov: Part of the ship is in the trafficking of cocaine and human beings
There is evidence that some of the crew of the ship “St. Nikolai” were involved in the trafficking of cocaine and human beings, announced the Minister of the Interior during a visit in Spain.
Results of the selection procedure of candidates for members of GRETA
On 21.08.2012 the Committee for the conduct of the selection procedure of candidates for members of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) under the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings formed according to order № ЗД-22/23.07.2012 г. held a meeting during which the documents of all fifteen candidates for members of GRETA were examined.
latino.foxnews.com: Organ Trafficking on the Rise
The demand for donated human organs in wealthy nations is rising much faster than the supply of organs donated through traditional means can meet, leading to a small but growing number of people living in poverty who sell their vital organs to the highest bidder.
The Appellate Court of Burgas confirmed the sentences of Atanas Mundev and five more people for trafficking in human beings with the purpose of prostitution, announced from the Prosecution.
novinite.com: Human Trafficking Scheme from Bulgaria Busted in Greece
Police in Greece have cracked a network for human trafficking from Bulgaria, in which Bulgarians were forced to beg.
The undisclosed number of Bulgarians were held in an apartment in the central Greek city of Larissa, informed Greek News In, as quoted by the Bulgarian National Radio.
burgasinfo.com: The police seized 24 sex workers in Sunny Beach, each has earned 1500lv. per night
The Police in Bourgas broke a criminal network for prostitution in Sunny Beach during a specialized action that has been initiated since May this year. 24 girls, practicing the most ancient profession, along with a theft of valuable items and money from drunken clients, have been seized. Each of the girls has earned between 600 and 1500 lv. per night.
The investigation has been conducted jointly by the sectors “Intellectual property, computer crime and hazard” and “Human Trafficking”.
The anti-mafia investigation was initiated after an information was posted on the internet – based platform of the sector “Intellectual property, computer crimes and hazard” for signals – www.cybercrime.bg, by the administrators of the internet forum www.bg-mamma.com.
The deadline for applications for GRETA passed
Today, 31 July 2012 at 5 PM passed the deadline for applications to the Group of Experts on Human Trafficking (GRETA) under the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
www.setimes.com: Poverty is forcing Balkan women into sex trade
Balkan women who are victims of human trafficking are increasingly ending up in Macedonia, according to police. In the past seven months, 54 women from Balkan countries have been apprehended as part of human trafficking chains.
Vesti.bg: A Bulgarian escaped from a Greek farm, was treated as a slave
A 47-year old Bulgarian who went to work in Greece has escaped from captivity from a farm around Solun (Thessaloniki), and with no money walked 270km on foot to get home to Bulgaria, announced the correspondent of BGNES in Blagoevgrad.
Ibrahim Refik from the village of Okorsh, Dulovo municipality, went to Greece on 10 January. For seven months of hard work at a farm in the village of Krohotani, 12km from Solun (Thessaloniki) the owner didn’t pay him anything.
Ibrahim worked with two other Bulgarians at the brothers Lazar, Aleksi and Angel, but he doesn’t know their surname.
The Greek kept his workers keyed, like slaves, there were gratings on the windows; he threw them just a little bit of food, but he turned off the refrigerator in the room so that they didn’t drink cold water – „not to get a cold.“
Ibrahim and the two others kept the nurseries of the farm, they cut wood, and their final task was the hardest – gathering of baled Lucerne.
We tied the bales not with sisal, but with wire, everything in my body aches, we transferred over 24 tons per day and he didn’t pay us one cent for those nearly seven months, says Ibrahim.
„One evening the landlord lost 20 000 euro in the casino, he got angry when I asked him when is he going to pay us. He said: „Do your job, then“, tell the travelling worker.
After he found out he won’t receive even a dime for his slaving in the farm with 800 animals, on 4 July Ibrahim escaped.
He walked on foot from Solun (Thessaloniki) to the border crossing Promahon-Kulata, and ate only plums.
Sadly, the Bulgarian got lost and instead for Syar (Serres) went towards Drama. In the region of the Slavyanka Mountain we travelled through goat paths as he was afraid not to get shot by Greek border guards.
He entered through the Promahon crossing into Bulgaria last Saturday, and on foot reached Blagoevgrad.
There he slept wherever he could, for three days he stood in line the Blood Center of the Hospital of Blagoevgrad to give blood and receive 50-60 levs with which to get home.
I have 600 km to go, the bad thing is that my legs have swollen, I can’t walk any longer, says Ibrahim.
The employer took his mobile phone and he doesn’t remember the numbers, so he couldn’t call his wife and children in his home village.
To the two others – one from Sandanski, the other from Isperih, the boss took their ID cards and drivers licenses, they cannot escape, adds Ibrahim.
17.07.2012
Source: http://www.vesti.bg/index.phtml?tid=40&oid=4984071
The operation was carried out in close cooperation with officials from the Federal Police of Brussels.
The man from Sliven, D.S. /38-years old/ was captured yesterday on the territory of the district center in an operation carried oud out by local officials from Combating Organized Crime. The operation was realized after cooperation with officials from the Federal Police of Brussels, which discovered that the Bulgarian trafficked girls for sexual exploitation on their territory. For the committed crime and for money laundering the Belgian court sentenced him to imprisonment for 6 years. Upon a request by the Kingdom of Belgium the man from Sliven was declared wanted for arrest and extradition in the Schengen Information System. During the arrest of D.S. a sizeable, criminally acquired property was discovered – multiple houses in Sliven and Nesebar, as well as a car dealership with many luxurious cars.
The case was reported to the district prosecution, as well as the Commission for Establishing of Property Acquired from Criminal Activity. Precautionary measures were taken against D.S. and the company owned by him, property for over 8 million leva was seized. D.S. is being held for 24 hours in the District Department of the MoI – Sliven, and a procedure was started to hand him over to the Belgian authorities.
17.07.2012
Source: http://press.mvr.bg/NEWS/news120717_03.htm
alarabiya.net: ‘Summer Brides’: Under-age daughters sold as ‘sex-slaves’ in Egypt, report claims
Wealthy Arab tourists from Gulf countries are paying money to purchase under-age Egyptian girls as „summer-brides“, claims a new report on human trafficking released by the U.S. State Department.
The marriages are not legally binding and end when the men return to their home countries.
According to the report „Trafficking in Persons“, often times these temporary marriages are facilitated by the girls’ parents who profit from the transaction.
According to Britain’s The Daily Mail, the wealthy tourists pay an amount to poor families through intermediaries, ranging from anywhere between $495 and $4,950.The young victims, some under the age of 18, are then forced to serve as sex slaves as well as servants to their „husbands.“
Egypt has laws in place that aim to combat human trafficking which prevent foreigners from marrying an Egyptian woman if there is more than ten years age difference, but marriage brokers have found a way around that by forging birth certificates to make the girls appear older and the men younger.
These contracts also eliminate any potential problems with hotels and land lords who may demand to see proof of marriage before allowing a couple to stay in a room together, since pre-marital sex is prohibited in Islam.
In many cases, the family agrees to marry their daughter without her consent, but often the girls are willing participants as they see it as the only way to help provide for their families.
In some cases the men take the Egyptian girls back to their home country to work as maids for their first wives. But even the girls who stay in Egypt do not fare much better since they often become ostracized by society and find it difficult to re-marry in the traditional way, particularly if the „summer marriage“ resulted in a child.
Many of the young women end up in a cycle of temporary marriages with Gulf tourists, and others are targeted by Egyptian men who marry them in order to force them into prostitution.
Many abandon the child out of shame, either to orphanages or leaving them to join the hundreds of thousands of street children that already exist in Egypt.
Dr. Hoda Badran, who chairs the NGO Alliance for Arab Women, explained to the Sunday Independent that poverty is the main factor behind this phenomenon.
„If those families are in such a need to sell their daughters you can imagine how poor they are. Many times, the girl does not know she is marrying the husband just for the short term. She is young, she accepts what her family tells her, she knows the man is going to help them. If the girl is very poor, sometimes it is the only way out to help the family survive,“ she told the newspaper.
The report by the State department said Egypt is making significant efforts to eliminate human trafficking, but due to the political unrest in the country over the past year, the government is unable to provide law enforcement and prosecution data on those efforts.
Furthermore, it said Egypt is continuing to develop strategies to implement a comprehensive action plan to address all aspects on trafficking.
In 2009, a court in Egypt’s second largest city Alexandria jailed two registrars for conducting temporary marriages of hundreds of underage girls, however NGOs say that this is only the tip of the iceberg, and that more needs to be done to implement existing laws.
15.07.2012
Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/07/15/226546.html
Setimes.com: A region in the center of international trafficking of organs
The financial crisis in Europe caused the boom of the trade with human organs, while families and individuals struggle to provide their livelihood. An increasing number of people in the region choose this opportunity: online, they can find many offers for the selling of human organs, despite it being illegal.
„I am healthy, I have no inherited diseases, my blood type is 0+. I offer a kidney against cash“, says an offer placed by Daniel S., 33-years old by June 2012, in a Bosnian news portal.
„If I sell my kidney I will invest in my future. I do not work, my wife does not work and we have a small child. With this money I can live normally,“ he says to SETimes.
His history is not entirely unique. In most cases, people cite financial difficulty as the main reason for the selling of organs. The provision of a kidney is a risk to the donor.
The New York Times presented the issue of illegal trafficking of organs in the center of attention, when it announced the shift of the market from the Far East and South America towards Europe, especially Serbia, Kosovo, Greece and Moldova.
Although the authorities in each state categorically deny the possibility of illegal transplantation of organs, nobody denies that people can receive transplantation somewhere else.
„It is possible to people to travel abroad to meet with the buyer and to have surgery there, but in Serbia this is impossible due to the law and medical, technical and bureaucratic procedures“, says for SETimes Danica Mahailovic from the Directorate for Biomedicine at the Ministry of Health. In Serbia the trade with organs is punished with up to ten years in prison.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the illegal trade with kidneys has sharply risen on a global scale and has reached up to 10 000 deals on the black market, including the buying of human organs, or one each hour. According to data by the UN 5 to 10% of the annual kidney transplantations are a result of trafficking of organs.
Kosovo acquired a bad fame after the discovery of a network for trafficking of organs several years ago. A court trial is ongoing against seven Kosovars for participating in a trade of organs, and they are also accused of they lured people from the ex-Communist countries in Pristina with false promises of paying them 15 000 euro.
The Montenegrin citizen Izet Luboder was arrested late last year for organizing trade with organs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Buying and selling organs is a large business in the poorest country in Europe – Moldova. The country is a key supplier for the organ trade worldwide, with Moldovan kidneys being the cheapest in Europe. According to the NGO „Kidney Foundation“ which fights against trafficking of organs in Moldova, a single kidney costs from 1500 to 5000 euro.
Last year Romanian journalists discovered a network of buyer and sellers of organs among medical professionals and in some famous hospitals. The cost of a Romanian kidney is around 13 000 euro.
Not all believe that the trade of organs should be illegal.
Djukan D., 60-years old from Podgorica, suffered from kidney failure for more than ten years but in Yugoslavia at the time the waiting list was huge and the odds of survival until a donor was found were very slim. That is why Djukan went to India in 2000, where he bought a kidney and had a transplantation surgery performed.
„I owe my life to this person“, said Djukan for SETimes.
While illegal trade with organs is booming, legally provided organs are insufficient. According to the Council for Healthcare in the Netherlands, around 95 000 people are waiting for kidney transplantations in the US, and another 65 000 for the same in Europe. According to the WHO, just 10% of the demand of organs in the world is supplied.
14.07.2012
Source: http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/bg/features/setimes/features/2012/07/14/feature-01
Dnevnik: Five Bulgarian pimps arrested in Spain
The Spanish police have busted an organization comprising of Bulgarians, who forced girls to prostitute on the roads of Vega Baha, Alicante province, announced BTA by citing the Spanish website lasprovincias.es. Five person were apprehended – three men and two women.
The group, which was active since 2007, controlled between 8 and 10 girls, most from Bulgarian origin, which were forced to prostitute. The daily profit was between two and six thousand euro.
According to the police the girls, which were from Eastern Europe, lived almost as slaves – they worked up to 16 hours per day, and they received money only for food and cigarettes.
„Focus“ clarifies that the criminal group was very well organized and maintained contact with other such bands in several Spanish provinces.
14.07.2012
Sources: http://www.dnevnik.bg/sviat/2012/07/14/1865494_petima_bulgarski_svodnici_sa_arestuvani_v_ispaniia/
24 hours: A family was sentenced for holding workers captive for 15 years
Four people from a British nomadic family were found guilty for holding people in slavery for 15 years, said the „Daily Mail“. They have also mentally tortured their victims.
Tommy Connors Sr., his son – Patrick, his daughter – Josie and her husband – James Connors were found guilty of exploitation of men for financial purposed. The crime was discovered last year after the police searched the camp on September 11.
The victims were recruited to work in the Connors’ family business for road pavement and subsequently were deprived of food, forced to bathe in cold water and sleep in horse cages.
The heads of the workers were shaved and they did not receive any money for their 19-hour working day, six days per week. When they were not working in the factory of the family, the slaves were forced to go from door to door and offer the company’s services.
Most workers were alcoholics,drug addicts or criminals. One of the slaves was threatened that if he escapes, he will be killed. According to another, living in the caravan camp was like living in a prison camp.
The slaves were forced to get up at 5:30 and to perform hard physical labor, which saved the family money from hiring specialized equipment. They were also forced to clean the luxury caravans of the slave owners, and to wash the cars and trucks of the family.
If any of the workers decided to complain about the working and life conditions, he was beaten by the family – his eyes bruised, his ribs broken, injured with sharp objects and dog bits.
„The work was very hard, my back hurt every day. I did not like it, but they said they would kill me if I try to leave,“ said a victim of the slaveholders before the court.
12.07.2012
Source: http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=1458845
The meeting between the Minister of Interior Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov and the Mayor of the town of Blagoevgrad Mr. Atanas Kambitov will be held today in the regional center of the Municipality.
It is expected that they will discuss the details about the project for building a monitoring system in the town, the regional security and the establishment of a Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings located in Blagoevgrad.
The beginning of the meeting is scheduled for 17:00 o’clock at the Mayor’s office.
12.07.2012
Source: http://dariknews.bg/view_article.php?article_id=931382
BNews.bg: Varna leads Sliven in prostitution
Varna is a main „donor“ for the export of women for France, Germany, Austria, Poland and Greece.
This became clear from today’s meeting of the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. The problem mainly concerns the export of prostitutes, and to a lesser degree, the trafficking of pregnant women for the purpose of selling their babies.
Since the beginning of the year, 25 pre-trial proceedings related to trafficking have been brought up, of which 5 are for offenses committed by organized criminal groups. Participants are mainly people from Turkish and Roma ethnicity. Within these proceedings 25 victims have been identified , 17 of whom are women, 8 men and 3 minors.
Only 4 of them were working as prostitutes in Bulgaria, the others were exported abroad.
The news wavered, to a certain extend, the famous primacy of Sliven’s prostitutes in Europe.
We recall that according to a study of the Bulgarian „Center for the Study of Democracy“ in Brussels, only 70% of prostitutes are Bulgarian and 70% of them come from Sliven.
In Varna several cases of export of women for fake marriages with foreigners from North Africa in Cyprus have been detected. However, they cannot be criminalized, as the women voluntarily agree to the marriage, for which they receive money. On the other hand, the foreigners seek them in order to gain rights as spouses of persons from the European Union.
11.07.2012
Source: http://www.bnews.bg/article-54276#.T_27nmY6z2c.facebook
24 hours: Mother in law sells a 16-year old Bulgarian to four Asians, who rape her
A 16-year old Bulgarian girl was raped by four men in the Greek city of Rethymno in Crete, according to the site greece.greekreporter.com. The girl was sold to the men by her mother in law.
The Bulgarian girl lived in the village of Perama on the island, but could not find work for a long time. Shortly before the incident, her mother in law advised her to become a waitress in a nearby village Kalonihti.
But instead of the restaurant, the old lady brought the girl to a house occupied by two Pakistanis – 18 and 22 years, and two Indians – 24 and 34 years. The four men raped the bulgarian girl, then together with her mother in law, gave her 50 euros to keep quiet.
The girl however was not able to cope with what have happened, and in the morning she turned her abusers to the police in the town of Rethymno. The rapists were arrested.
11.07.2012
Source: http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=1457801
BNews.bg: Varna leads Sliven in prostitution
Varna is a main „donor“ for the export of women for France, Germany, Austria, Poland and Greece.
This became clear from today’s meeting of the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. The problem mainly concerns the export of prostitutes, and to a lesser degree, the trafficking of pregnant women for the purpose of selling their babies.
Since the beginning of the year, 25 pre-trial proceedings related to trafficking have been brought up, of which 5 are for offenses committed by organized criminal groups. Participants are mainly people from Turkish and Roma ethnicity. Within these proceedings 25 victims have been identified , 17 of whom are women, 8 men and 3 minors.
Only 4 of them were working as prostitutes in Bulgaria, the others were exported abroad.
The news wavered, to a certain extend, the famous primacy of Sliven’s prostitutes in Europe.
We recall that according to a study of the Bulgarian „Center for the Study of Democracy“ in Brussels, only 70% of prostitutes are Bulgarian and 70% of them come from Sliven.
In Varna several cases of export of women for fake marriages with foreigners from North Africa in Cyprus have been detected. However, they cannot be criminalized, as the women voluntarily agree to the marriage, for which they receive money. On the other hand, the foreigners seek them in order to gain rights as spouses of persons from the European Union.
11.07.2012
Source: http://www.bnews.bg/article-54276#.T_27nmY6z2c.facebook
24 hours: Raids against prostitutes in Cannes – 4 Bulgarians arrested
Increasingly, the European countries have problems with Bulgarian prostitutes, who went there in order to earn some money. France is one of the most commonly chosen destinations for working girls.
Another raid against prostitutes was held by the French authorities on Tuesday afternoon. Four Bulgarian prostitutes were arrested near Lake Saint-Cassin in Andre de L’Esterel, near Cannes, according to the report of the French newspaper „Varmaten.“
Approximately 20 policemen and employees of the Tax Office were mobilized in the operation against the activities of the „prostitutes“ on the shores of Lake Saint-Cassin.
The four Bulgarian women are residing in Cannes. They were arrested on charges of „attracting customers forthe purpose of inciting sexual relations against a reward.“
It is likely that the Bulgarian women, who have entered the country with a tourist visa, will be forced to leave the territory of France.
Less than a month ago a channel for prostitution in France was broken, in which our countrymen were also involved. The european authorities then argued that young girls were recruited in Bulgaria in order to be sexually exploited in several European countries, including France.
11.07.2012
Source: http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=1457149
An EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in Human beings
What is trafficking in Human beings?
Trafficking in Human beings is the slavery of our times. June 2012 estimates from the International Labour Organisation put the number of victims of forced labour, including forced sexual exploitation, at 20.9 million at a global level1. 5.5 million of these are children. Such global estimates are even considered to be conservative.
Victims are often recruited, transported or harboured by force, coercion or fraud in abusive conditions, including sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, begging, criminal activities, or the removal of organs.
Trafficking in human beings is a severe crime that takes many different forms, but whether they were sold for sex, hard labour in agriculture, construction, or the textile industry, or forced into domestic labour, victims share similarly gruesome stories.
Having to provide services seven days a week to pay back ridiculous amounts of money to their traffickers, victims are often deprived of their passports, and in many cases locked in and only allowed out for ‘work’. Barred from contacting their families, they are threatened by their traffickers and live in fear of retaliation. With virtually no money, and having been made fearful of the local authorities by their traffickers, the idea of escaping remains elusive – as is their prospect of returning to a ‘normal’ life.
What are the root causes?
Trafficking in human beings evolves with changing socio-economic circumstances. It affects women and men, girls and boys in vulnerable conditions.
It is rooted in vulnerability to poverty, lack of democratic cultures, gender inequality and violence against women, conflict and post-conflict situations, lack of social integration, lack of opportunities and employment, lack of access to education, child labour and discrimination. Other causes of trafficking in human beings include a booming sex industry and the consequent demand for sexual services. At the same time demand for cheap labour and products can also be considered as factors.
What is the situation in the EU?
Estimates put the number of victims across the European Union at hundreds of thousands.
Trafficking does not necessarily involve the crossing of a border, but it is predominantly a transnational type of crime, extending beyond individual Member States. While many victims come from non-EU countries, internal trafficking (i.e. EU citizens trafficked within the EU) appears to be the rise. Most traffickers work within well-established networks which allow them to move victims across borders or from one place to another within a country.
Preliminary data collected by the Commission shows that most of the registered victims in Member States are used for sexual exploitation (an increase from 70% in 2008 to 76% in 2010). The remaining is forced into labour (a decrease from 24% in 2008 to 14% in 2010), begging (3%) and domestic servitude (1%). This data appears consistent with those provided by international organisations, such as UNODC.
From a gender-specific point of view, preliminary data available show that women and girls are the main victims of trafficking in human beings; female victims accounted for 79% (of whom 12% were girls) and men for 21% (of which 3% were boys) of victims between 2008 and 2010.
Comparable and reliable data is key in addressing trafficking in human beings. That is why the strategy foresees specific actions on data collection, including on the gender dimensions of human trafficking. In the autumn of 2012, the Commission, in cooperation with Eurostat, will already publish more detailed results.
What is already being done at EU level?
A major step forward was taken in form of the adoption of EU legislation (Directive 2011/36/EU) which focuses on preventing the crime, protecting the victims, prosecuting the traffickers and establishing partnerships, in particular with civil society (IP/11/332).
If the Directive is fully transposed by April 2013 as required, it has the potential to have a real and concrete impact on the lives of the victims and to prevent others from falling victim to such a devastating crime.
The Directive established the post of EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator with the task of ensuring policy coherence, improving the coordination of efforts in addressing trafficking in human beings within Union institutions and agencies and beyond and to contribute to the development of existing and new policies. Myria Vassiliadou was appointed as EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator on behalf of the Commission in December 2010 and took up her mandate in March 2011.
EU financial support already is and will continue to be one of the main tools in preventing trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims (information on projects can be found on the EU Anti-trafficking website).
We are on the right track, but a lot remains to be done to eradicate human trafficking.
Why an EU strategy?
As a next step to the Directive, the Commission proposed concrete measures that complement legislation and the efforts undertaken by governments, international organisations and civil society in the EU and third countries.
It is a practical instrument addressing the main needs and challenges in the EU for the next five years from a human rights and gender-specific perspective.
The aim is to involve and ensure better coordination between all possible actors working towards the eradication of trafficking, such as police officers, border guards, immigration and asylum officials, public prosecutors, lawyers, housing, labour, health, social and safety inspectors, social and youth workers, consumer organisations, trade unions, employers organisations, temporary job agencies, recruitment agencies, etc.
Concrete actions will include the funding of research studies and projects, the establishment of platforms, coalitions and partnerships, the development of guidelines and best practices, awareness-raising campaigns and trainings, etc.
Which are the priorities identified by the strategy?
The strategy identifies five priorities and outlines a series of initiatives for each of them, such as:
Strengthening the identification, protection and assistance to victims, with a special emphasis on children.
Developing a model for an EU Transnational Referral Mechanism which links national referral mechanisms (cooperative frameworks through which state actors fulfil their obligations to protect and promote the human rights of trafficked persons) to better identify, refer, protect and assist trafficked victims (2015).
Providing and disseminating clear user-friendly information on the labour, social, migrant and compensation rights individuals are entitled to as victims of trafficking in human beings under EU law (2013).
Stepping up the prevention of trafficking in human beings, including by reducing demand
Funding research on the reduction of demand for and supply of services by victims of trafficking, including for the purpose of sexual exploitation (up to € 2.5 million under the 7th Framework Programme in 2013).
Facilitating the establishment a European Business Coalition against trafficking in Human Beings to improve cooperation between companies and stakeholders (2014).
Increasing prosecution of traffickers
Supporting the establishment of national law enforcement units specialised in human trafficking. These dedicated teams should become the contact points for EU agencies, in particular Europol, and focus on all forms of trafficking (Ongoing).
Developing proactive financial investigations and cooperation with EU agencies on trafficking cases through the sharing of best practices. Gathering more evidence from money trails might provide the necessary additional proof, particularly in high risk sectors, thus relieving victims of the burden of testifying in Court (2013).
Enhancing coordination, cooperation and coherence within the EU, with international organisations, and with third countries, including civil society and the private sector
Establishing an EU platform of civil society organisations and service providers working on victim protection and assistance in Member States and third countries (2013).
Designing more uniform and consistent trainings for those who work in the field, targeting in particular judiciary and cross border law enforcement officials (2012).
Increasing knowledge of, and effective response to, emerging trends in human trafficking
Developing an EU wide system for the collection and publication of reliable and comparable data, which will notably help better understanding on new flows and trends, such as internal trafficking, and the gender dimension of trafficking (2014).
Supporting research projects targeting the Internet and social networks which have become increasingly popular recruitment tools for traffickers (2014).
How will it improve the situation for victims?
Working towards the elimination of trafficking in human beings cannot be achieved without placing the victim at the centre of any actions and initiatives.
This victim-centred approach is present throughout the whole strategy.
One priority is to better identify, protect and assist victims. The identification of trafficking cases remains difficult, even though many people could potentially come in contact with a victim. The Commission proposes, for instance, to develop guidelines to help practitioners as well as consular officials and border guards better identify victims of trafficking.
In order to better assist victims in a cross-border situation the strategy also suggests to develop a model for an EU Transnational Referral Mechanism which will link different national referral mechanisms to better identify, refer, protect and assist victims. These national referral mechanisms formalise cooperation among government agencies and non-governmental groups dealing with trafficked persons. Such a mechanism can, for example, establish contact points in the countries involved and clearly assign responsibilities to the relevant actors so that the victim is assisted and protected at all times. This is particularly important in order to ensure that victims who decide to return to their country of origin continue to be supported in that country so that they can fully recover and re-integrate into society.
The strategy also aims to provide clear information to victims on their rights under EU law and national legislation, in particular their rights to assistance and health care, their right to a residence permit and their labour rights, their rights regarding access to justice and to a lawyer, and on the possibilities of claiming compensation.
How is the particular situation of children addressed?
Children are trafficked for various reasons including sexual and labour exploitation. According to Europol, children forced into criminal activities such as organised begging and shoplifting are being traded as commodities with €20 000 price tags.
The Strategy, just as the Directive, recognises the importance of addressing trafficking in children who are particularly vulnerable to victimisation and re-trafficking, including during their adult lives. It proposes developing a best practice model for the role of the guardians and/or legal representation of the child victims and guidelines on child protection systems. The Strategy also calls on Member States to strengthen such child protection systems.
What is proposed to step-up prevention?
A better understanding about how to reduce the demand and supply for services of trafficking in human beings victims could be reached through launching a study, raising awareness in cooperation with the private sector via a European Business Coalition (to be established in 2014) and promoting trafficking free supply chains in and outside the EU.
In 2014 the Commission will launch EU-wide awareness-raising activities targeting specific vulnerable groups, such as women and children at risk, domestic workers, Roma communities, undocumented workers and situations such as major sporting events.
The Commission will also assist Member States in strengthening measures to prevent human trafficking via temporary work agencies and intermediaries, such as job, marriage and adoption agencies.
What can be done to increase prosecution of traffickers?
The total number of cases prosecuted in the EU remains low. In fact, preliminary results of recent data shows that the number of convictions on trafficking in human beings has decreased from around 1 500 in 2008 to around 1 250 in 2010.
The strategy promotes multidisciplinary cooperation at the local, national and transnational level, encouraging Member States to set up, for example, a dedicated national police intelligence unit and to stimulate cooperation between administrative and law enforcement authorities.
Developing pro-active financial investigations is key when dealing with trafficking cases. Evidence gathered from money trails might provide the necessary additional proof, particularly in high-risk sectors (agriculture, construction, the textile industry, healthcare, domestic service and the sex industry)2, which will also relieve victims of the burden of testifying in court.
What emerging concerns should also be taken into account?
The trends, patterns and working methods of traffickers are changing in all the different forms of trafficking in human beings, adapting to demand and supply and to legal and policy loopholes. It is necessary to understand such trends quickly and ensure an effective response.
For instance, internal trafficking, in which the victims are EU citizens who are trafficked within their own or another Member State, is on the rise. Understanding the flows and trends of internal trafficking will be an important part of the data collection initiative at EU level. Research on the gender dimension of trafficking and the vulnerability of high risks groups is also foreseen.
The internet offers numerous possibilities to recruit victims. It is anticipated that this trend will increase, as will the number of women sexually exploited in less visible, online environments. The Commission will fund projects enhancing knowledge of online recruitment that takes place via simple search engines and online advertisements, chat rooms, spam mail, or social networking tools.
1 :
International Labour Organisation, ‘ILO 2012 Global estimates of forced labour’, June 2012 (covering the period 2002-2011).
2 :
Europol, ‘EU Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2011′.
Source: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/12/455&
The international police operation was carried out jointly with officials from the city of Offenbach, Germany
An international police operation against a criminal group that organized trafficking of women from Bulgaria to Germany for sexual exploitation was carried out on the territory of Bulgaria and Germany. The investigation was carried out by police officials from the Criminal Police of Offenbach, Germany and GDCOC. The work on investigating and documenting the activities of the criminal group lasted for more than a year. A joint investigation team to work on the case was established based on an agreement between the District Prosecutions of Darmstadt and Razgrad. The operation in Germany was carried out under the supervision of the prosecution in Darmstadt, while in Bulgaria – by special police officials from GDCOC under the supervision of District Prosecution – Razgrad. A criminal scheme to recruit women from the region of Northern Bulgaria and to transport them to Germany, where they had to prostitute was discovered. To this end, girls from low social status were recruited. During the course of the joint Bulgarian-German investigation the Bulgarian citizens, part of the criminal group, were identified – organizer M.P. /47-years old/ from the region of Razgrad, and five members. M.P. and his associates were apprehended in Germany, while follow-up investigative activities were carried out in Bulgaria – search and confiscation. Mobile phone, SIM-cards, PCs, payment documents for money transfers from Germany, as well as other documents connected to the pretrial proceedings were seized from a total of seven properties.
Source: http://press.mvr.bg/NEWS/news120607_06.htm
News.bg: A criminal THB group was busted on the territory of Pazardjik
Officials from the General Directorate „Combating Organized Crime“ neutralized a criminal group for trafficking in human beings on the territory of Pazardjik, announced the press-centre of the Ministry of Interior.
The police action was carried out on 17 and 18 May under the guidance of Regional Persecution – Pazardjik. Officials from the „COC“ unit in Pazardjik participated in the action supported by their colleagues from Plovdiv.
The police action aimed to neutralize a criminal group which recruited young women as „white slaves“ for countries in Western Europe and exercised violence over them.
A 22-year old woman and a 33-year old man from Plovdiv were apprehended, as well as a 43-year old man from Pazardjik and a 43-yeal old from the village of Hadzhievo. Two of them have a rich criminal record.
The anti-mafia officials had investigated the activities of the group for nearly two months, and took action when they received information that another girl was being prepared to be shipped out of the country.
During the course of the investigation it was established that the group mainly recruited its clients through Internet websites. The members of the criminal group quickly established contact with them and charmed them with their attention until the connection become more intimate. Violence followed – threats, beatings, forced submission, rape, and wanted ransoms for buying back the victims.
The investigative procedures in the pretrial proceeding are still ongoing. Charges have been raised against the five detainees, while three of them will remain in the arrest for another 72 hours with a ruling of the prosecution. The submission of a request to impose the strictest restraining measure „detention under guard“ is pending.
19.05.2012
Source: http://news.ibox.bg/news/id_565756387
Today the government accepted the National Programme for Prevention and Counteraction of Trafficking in Human Beings and Victim Protection for 2012. The Programme emphasize the active local policies for combating trafficking in human beings, development in building and organization of the activities of the Local Commissions for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Burgas, Montana, Pazardjik, Plovdiv, Russe, Sliven and Varna, and the establishment of a Local Commission in Blagoevgrad, rated as a city with elevated risk factors for human trafficking. Opportunities for the creation of local commissions in other districts of the country through the institutional and financial partnership with the local authorities are considered.
The establishment of a Shelter for Temporary Housing for adult victims of human trafficking in Sofia, which will be used as transit in the referral and support of victims, is planned. Funds for this will be from the budget of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB) and from projects and programmes.
One of the main purposes of the programme is raising awareness of the general public and the risk groups regarding the issues. The NCCTHB plans several prevention campaigns. They are mainly for the prevention of trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation of women and trafficking of women with the purpose of selling their babies.
To increase the capacity of institutions, specialized trainings are envisaged for volunteers to the Local Commissions, police officers, prosecutors, and judges, officials from State Agency „National Security“ and the National Investigation Service, and labour mediators from the Labour Departments.
In order to overcome the effects of trafficking and reintegrate victims into society, special employment programs for victims will be developed. An interdepartmental group will produce a mechanism for providing a package of social services for victims of trafficking to support their reintegration.
The program also contains proposals for legislative changes aimed at improving the effective countering of trafficking in Bulgaria and to support victims. The increased number of identified victims of trafficking shows to increased confidence in state institutions. This is one of the conclusions in the report of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings under the Council of Ministers at 2011.
The report concluded that Bulgaria continues to be a source country for victims of trafficking. In recent years, it’s transit and final destination country especially in tourist resorts and border regions. The most common victims of human trafficking with purpose sexual exploitation are women and children, and men are trafficked primarily for labor exploitation. The report indicated other areas of traffic – women, usually from Roma origin, were forced to sell their newborn babies abroad, children – to beg or to perform petty theft and pickpockets.
Last year, the National Commission received 56 reports on human trafficking, the total number of victims of these signals is 144. The number of people convicted for trafficking has increased to 131 (compared to 125 in 2010). Seven persons were convicted to imprisonment up to 10 and over 10 years and imposed with a financial penalty of more than 20,000 leva. The total amount of seized property imposed on convicted person for trafficking during the year amounted to 146,159 leva.
Last year, the national policy for combating human trafficking was aimed exclusively at developing a system of protection for victims through institutional capacity building and set in the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act – active support to victims through the National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking and two public Shelters for Temporary Housing of victims of trafficking in Varna and Burgas. The National Commission supported the implementation of local politics for combating human trafficking, conducted five campaigns at the national level for prevention of trafficking and strengthened the international cooperation with Austria, Holland, France, Britain and Belgium.
The report recognizes that the main countries – a destination for victims of human trafficking in 2011, left the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, Austria, France, Italy, Cyprus, Poland. An increase in the number of trafficking victims to countries of Northern and Central Europe, mainly Sweden (labor exploitation), Czech Republic (labor and sexual exploitation) and Britain (pickpockets) due to the effects of economic and financial crisis in Europe. Particularly vulnerable group of potential victims of trafficking remains the Roma minority.
The purpose of trafficking remains: in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France and Poland – for sexual exploitation in Greece, Britain and Austria – pickpockets, Greece, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden and the Czech Republic – for labor exploitation ; Greece – for the sale of babies.
30.05. 2012
Source: http://www.government.bg/cgi-bin/e-cms/vis/vis.pl?s=001&;p=0228&n=3670&g=
24 chasa: 53 Bulgarian have become victims of labour exploitation in Spain Thursday
The Bulgarian Violeta Stefanova from Yambol, who was a supervisor in a Spanish company, tricked 53 migrant workers from Bulgaria, announced bTV. She offered them 4000 euro for three and a half months as strawberry foragers. The women parted from Yambol for spain on 18 February. At the end of last year Stefanova gathered 150 leva commission sums from the future workers, without giving them payment receipts.
In Spain, they were accommodated in terrible living conditions – 6 persons living in a single room, 18 using a common bathroom. The women worked in huge greenhouses, with temperatures in February between 25 and 30 degrees. There they were forbidden to use the bathroom, to drink water and to rest. Attitude towards them was very rude.
They were even advised to take medicines for late-stage cancer patients to alleviate their pain.
Once the Bulgarians arrived, their personal ID cards were requested under the pretext that they were needed for preparing labour contracts.
After complaints and the intervention of the Bulgarian embassy in Madrid and the Spanish police, the women received back their documents.
They received between 180 and 400 euro and with these money they were able to hire a bus back to Bulgaria.
Thirty deceived women returned, who intend to sue Violeta Stefanova.
29.03.2012
Source: http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=1300173
Norbert Ceipek: Thank you for being our partner in combating trafficking in human beings
„This meeting is very important for us. We count on our partners for the successful resolution of the issue of trafficking in human beings. Thank you for being our partner,“ Norbert Ceipek said at the beginning of his discussion with minister Tsvetanov. He clarified that when Bulgaria and Austria began cooperating in combating trafficking in human beings there was just a single case of a re-trafficked child in Vienna. „The model, according to which we jointly work, is very successful and several countries have shown interest in it so far,“ stated Ceipek.
Ten crisis centres have been established in Bulgaria, in which substantial assistance is being provided to children – victims of trafficking. All of them are based on a model of the Crisis centre for unaccompanied children „Drehscheibe“ in Vienna. Norbert Ceipek said during his discussion with minister Tsvetanov that during the month of May this year, representatives of the Bulgarian crisis centres would undergo a training course in Vienna. „The enthusiasm, which people from the centres work with, has to be supported. Training is important for them, because the good practices that they will exchange in Vienna can be implemented in our country,“ Mr. Tzvetanov confirmed. He explained that Bulgarian government had made systematic efforts for educating children from Roma communities, which is among the accents of the recently adopted Strategy for Roma Integration. Tsvetan Tsvetanov continued furthermore that trafficking in human beings was among the priorities of the Ministry of Interior. „We have a number of successful operations, which ended with sentences,“ he explained and said that for the last year 119 sentences had entered in force.
Norbert Ceipek stressed that it was important to create a crisis centres for children victims of trafficking in Sofia. „This will shorten their trip back home,“ he reasoned.
Minister Tsvetanov gave to the director of the Crisis centre for unaccompanied children „Drehscheibe“ in Vienna a certificate of gratitude for the successful collaboration.
DNEVIK: Trafficking in Human Beings: No Witnesses
It is increasingly difficult to find victims of trafficking, willing to testify and maintain their testimonies until the end of the trial, worry the investigators.
500 from about 5000. Or just 10 in a hundred. This is the percentage of people rescued from trafficking channels. The data for the victims identified in 2011 are official – of the Prosecution. But officially, no one can say how many Bulgarian have become victims of trafficking in one year. Investigators believe it’s about 5-6000.
In the frame of the Home/ISEC/2010 call for proposals, Bulgaria (the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings), France (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs), Greece (Hellenic Aid, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Romania (National Agency against trafficking in persons), Spain (Department for Equality, Ministry of Health, Social policies and Equality) and the Netherlands (Ministry for Security and Justice) have been awarded a grant from the EC to implement a project „Development of Common Guidelines and Procedures on Identification of Victims of Trafficking“.
On 18th of January the international project „Development of Common Guidelines and Procedures on Identification of Victims of Trafficking“. was launched on a kick off meeting in Paris, France.
The overall objective of the two-year project (Nov 2011-Nov 2013) is to enhance and harmonise the methods and procedures for the identification of victims of trafficking within the EU through the development of common guidelines and procedures for the identification of victims of trafficking in order to better tackle THB and to ensure equity of treatment between the victims in the region as regard their rights to protection.
More specifically, the project intends to:
Develop a network of national contact points in the participating countries (Bulgaria, France, Greece, Romania, Spain and The Netherlands) with the aim of collecting and exchanging best practices (BP) on identification of victims of trafficking.
DNEVNIK LAUNCHED A SERIES OF MATERIALS ON TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS ISSUES
The online newspaper Dnevnik launched a series of materials with the support of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the non-governmental sector and other institutions which will present trafficking in human beings issues of multiple points of view. The series shows what kinds of tricks are used by traffickers, what makes people vulnerable to trafficking, who controls them and how, what makes their reintegration process more difficult. The experts’ opinions and suggestions for ways and methods of tackling human trafficking will be presented.
Read more on: http://www.dnevnik.bg/temi/trafik_na_hora/
Eighteen girls and nine boys from Pazardjik are victims of trafficking.
“Women under Influence” – a book on the psychological pressure and physical abuse
Colibri Publishing House published the book „Women under Influence“ by the famous contemporary psychoanalyst and family psychotherapist Marie-France Hirigoyen. The Publishing House was a partner of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings during the National Informational Campaign in the autumn of 2011.
The decision was taken during a session of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
Risk Monitor: 2 million children sexually exploited each year
Two million children are sexually exploited each year and involved in pornography on a global scale. Around 200 000 children become an object of trafficking in human beings in the European Union each year. The data is from an analysis by Risk Monitor.
Child prostitution is most often blooming around the so-called sex-tourism. In most countries 80-90% of the victims are girls, though boys are prevalent in some locations. Bulgaria continues to be predominantly a country of origin and to a lesser extend a transit or country destination in the global sex trade.
Three Bulgarian citizens were arrested in Pirrea for trafficking of children
Three Bulgarian men were arrested in Pirrea on the accusation of being a part of an organized criminal group for trafficking in human beings, said the web edition of the Greek newspaper „Kathimerini“, citing the police.
“Operation Montana” – a channel for trafficking in human beings, organized by Bulgarians, was busted
On 23 November, 2011 a press-conference regarding the busted channel for trafficking in human beings from Montana was held in the Ceremonial Hall of the Ministry of the Interior of Austria.
During the press-conference Ms. Maria Fekter, Minister of the Interior of Austria, clearly stated her message regarding this crime, and clearly underlined the importance of victim protection and punishment of perpetrators.
Karamatuna – programme for combatting the sex-trafficking of women and children in the Middle East
Karamatuna
This programme works to combat the sex-trafficking of women and children in the Middle East, whilst protecting them from gender based violence.
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the French Embassy in Bulgaria announced the start of the project „Prevention of trafficking, ethnic groups, with a focus on the Roma minority in Bulgaria“ with a press conference on January 24, 2012, from 11 h., at the French residence in Bulgaria.
Effective sentences for two traffickers in Burgas
On 20/01/2012, the Bourgas Regional Court pleaded guilty for the two defendants in the case of trafficking a pregnant woman from Burgas, from the Roma neighborhood „Victory“ in Greece, to sell her baby.
By the proposal of the Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Plovdiv, in the Pedagogical Faculty of Plovdiv University „Pasii Hilendarski“, were created two specializations – „Prevention of trafficking“ and „Preventing Sexual victimization.“
A woman reported missing was found held by a trafficker
The police found 24-year-old girl, forcibly held by traffickers in Sofia area, Seslavtsi village the women was going to force into prostitution.
CD “COC” captured a recidivist, who promised “bright future” to prostitutes
Anti-mafia police officers from Sliven arrested a 31-year old recidivist, previously sentenced by a Belgian court, for crimes in connection to trafficking in human beings. The man had served his sentence in Bulgaria and early last year was prematurely released, announced the Ministry of the Interior.
The prostitutes in Brussels are mainly Bulgarian women
The crisis is taking its heavy toll on the revenue of the „priestesses of love“ in the city
The situation of the prostitutes in Belgium is catastrophic because of the crisis, says the „Dernière Heure“ newspaper in a review on Brussels.
On 14 October 2011 the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) published the first report on Bulgaria in connection to the obligations of the country under the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Bulgaria is among the first 10 countries in which monitoring in connection to the Convention is being conducted. Bulgaria is also among the first 10 countries to ratify the Council of Europe’s Convention in 2007, but the principles laid down in it had already been adopted in our country back in 2003 with the adoption of the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act.
Two Bulgarians sentenced for pimping in Brussels
Two Bulgarian nationals have been convicted of pimping in the Brussels, reports the „Dernier Jordan.“ Newspaper. They’ve receive up to four years in prison and fines of 27,500 euros.
The Prosecutor’s office is also against the legal prostitution
Author: newspaper „Monitor“
The Prosecutor’s office is also against the legal prostitution.
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September 2014
Four Bulgarians were apprehended in Liege
Four Bulgarians were apprehended in Liege this week for organizing an international criminal group for trafficking in human beings from Bulgaria, announced the newspaper „Dernier Jour“, cited by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.
A large network for child trafficking busted in China
Over 600 people were arrested, almost 180 children were saved.
The beginning of June this year marked the 30th anniversary of the day the world learned about the Acquired immune deficiency syndrome – AIDS.
The National Commission for Trafficking in Human Beings will disseminate informational materials during the Sofia International book fair, which will be held in the National Palace of Culture between 6 and 10 December 2011, as part of the national awareness campaign of the NCCTHB.
On 23 November 2011, the Council of Ministers adopted with a decision a framework agreement between the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the Embassy of France…
Austrian investigators, together with their Bulgarian colleagues, have managed to hit the traffickers. The perpetrators of the crime brought tens of women to Vienna to prostitute.
Double price for unsafe sex with Bulgarians
Six Bulgarians, who forced girls to take birth control medicine and even make abortions, were arrested by the police in Mestre, a district of Venice.
The EU launched an immigration portal
Where to apply for permission for labor in Germany? Does a citizen of India need residence permit to study in Spain? Who you can turn to for help? The new EU portal will answer all of these – ec.europa.eu/immigration. It was presented by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Cecilia Malmström.
Moving to the EU? Good advice is now just a few clicks away
Brussels, 18 November 2011 – Where do you apply for a German work permit? Does an Indian citizen need a residence permit to study in Spain? And if you have been exploited for work, who can you call for support?
Women from Dobrich and Pleven are forced to prostitute in Bremen, Germany
Young Bulgariam women from Pleven and Dobrich are among the main contingent of forced into prostitution in Bremen and Bremenshafen . Most of them work in miserable conditions, beatings and fear their constant companions.
More Articles…
A family of Bulgarian pimps arrested in Italy
OSCE Special Representative highlights role of parliamentarians in combating human trafficking
The business of human trafficking
A family of Bulgarian pimps arrested in Italy
Six Bulgarian citizens were arrested in Venice for soliciting their countrywomen into prostitution. The arrest of the Bulgarians, who are all relatives, came after six of the women rebelled and complained in the police about the violence they’ve been subjected to.
Representatives of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings gave away informational print materials during yesterday’s concert of the Finnish progressive-metal band Amorphis in Sofia.
The business of human trafficking
Companies often use complex global procurement systems to deny their part in human trafficking but what can responsible businesses do to address the issue?
OSCE Special Representative highlights role of parliamentarians in combating human trafficking
The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings…
A pimp wanted in France was arrested
The Varna Appellate Court confirmed the arrest of Ayden Raimov from the village of Sredishte, municipality of Kainardja, held at the end of October on the request of the French authorities.
Women victims of sexual and labor exploitation are being lured with promises of work and studying abroad, and then blackmailed with threats directed at their relatives
Refugees face organ theft in the Sinai
El Arish, Egypt (CNN) – Bedouin smugglers involved in people trafficking are also believed to be stealing organs from refugees who are unable to pay their demands for large amounts of cash to take them into Israel.
Up to 430 million levs early from prostitution at home
Up to 90% of the prostitution in Bulgaria is controlled and owned by criminal networks. This is pointed out by the data from the report „Risk monitor“ on the subject „For or against the legalization of prostitution“.
A woman forced into prostitution was returned to Bulgaria
Border Police officers rescued a woman from a forced trafficking to Germany with the aim of sexual exploitation, reported Border Police.
Traffickers make €2000 a day on a Bulgarian girl
Interview with Antoaneta Vassileva, Secretary of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
A women trafficker was detained at Turnovo
A women trafficker was arrested yesterday in Veliko Turnovo in a special operation conducted by the local organized crime unit. Since the beginning of this year until July, 41-years-old male recruited women and forced them to work as prostitutes in hotels and highways. The victims were between the age of 18 and 40-years old.
An “unemployed” trafficker of women was captured
The police in Veliko Turnovo captured the 41-year old N.N. for trafficking in human beings, notified the local police force.
64 traffickers convicted in 2011
MOST OF THE PENALTIES ARE UP TO 3 YEARS IN PRISON
64 people were convicted for trafficking this year, and 56 of them have come into force.
OSCE Mission launches helpline for human trafficking and domestic violence victims in Kosovo
PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 18 October 2011 – The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Interior Ministry launched today an anti-trafficking and domestic violence helpline.
„Not My Life“ on Public Television
For the first time on public television CNN International will be broadcasting the documentary, „Not My Life,“ which examines the multi-billion dollar industry of trafficking in beings.
Belgium convicted a Bulgarian pimp
The Bulgarian Hristo Ivanov was sentenced for pimping to 4 years in jail under a strict regime by the court in Brussels.
Two men arrested while trying to “export” girls in Greece
Two men were arrested while trying to bring three girls across the border in the police operation „The Stars“, confirmed MIA.
Bulgarians charged with trafficking in human beings in Sweden
Two Bulgarians charged with trafficking in human beings after having lured fellow countrymen to work in Sweden with false promises for work and comfortable homes.
World must do better to tackle human trafficking, stresses Assembly President
The President of the General Assembly today called for redoubled efforts to tackle human trafficking, which the United Nations anti-crime agency says is a multi-billion dollar industry and one that enslaves some 2.4 million people at any given time, many of whom are children.
Boss of an organized criminal group sentenced to 12 years in prison
The businessman from Sliven and president of the former group „Club 777″ Atanas Mundev was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of 20 000 leva was imposed, notified the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency.
The special police operatioon was carried out under the supervision of the Sofia District Prosecution along with officers from the Special Unit for Combating Terrorism and the Regional Direction of the Ministry of the Interior – Sofia.
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings would like to inform you that the EU Programme for Preventing and Combating Crime has launched its programme for funding projects to combat human trafficking. A total value of 4.000.000 euros will be granted as a total.
Moldova, Ukraine EU official involved in Chisinau child sex scandal
‘Nine O’Clock’ reports that a child trafficking network was dismantled in Chisinau.
Regional Police Department Plovdiv: No fake ambulances and organs removal in Plovdiv
There are no fake ambulances, and no corpses have been found with their organs removed, reported the deputy-director of the Regional Police Department, commissioner Kostadin Bakov, during a press-conference in Plovdiv. The press-conference was organized after a police investigation related to the „rumor“ was conducted.
Italy – Thousands of minors sexually exploited and trafficked
AGI News On’ reports that Save the Children claims that there are thousands of underage victims of sexual exploitation, beggars and illegal workers on the streets in Italy.
16 years in prison for a father, who systematically raped his daughter
35-year-old taxi driver from Chernomorec was sentenced to 16 years in prison for systematically raping his daughter.
China Human Trafficking Ring Crackdown Saves 89 Infants
BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese police rescued 89 infants kidnapped for sale and arrested 369 people they said were linked to two human trafficking rings this month, state media reported on Wednesday.
Mexican police arrest more than 1,000 in human trafficking raids
Authorities in Ciudad Juarez arrested more than 1,000 people over the weekend in an operation aimed at cracking down on human trafficking, police said.
OSCE supports investigation into Kosovo human organs trade
The international community takes a step forward in investigating chilling claims involving Serb prisoners and others whose organs were allegedly harvested and sold.
Kosovo still plagued by human trafficking
The government is working to address human trafficking and sex exploitation, but convictions are another matter.
Human trafficking, sexual exploitation still a problem in Turkey
The country gets mixed reviews over its efforts to combat prostitution networks and the gangs that run them.
Our “Mr. Pig” sells sex slaves for England
London- Bulgarian traders of sex slaves were“honored“ with a large articlein Sunday British tabloid „News of the world“ in its last issuebefore beingclosed.
Skopje: Bulgarian woman sentenced for trade in human beings
She turned her home in Ohrid into a sty, where she kept three girls aged between 21 and 28 years. The court in Skopje sentenced the Bulgarian citizen K. B. Ts. from Botevgrad, currently living in Ohrid, to two years of imprisonment for trade in human beings.
Sex trafficking trade forces women from Odessa to massage parlours in Britain
Many women drawn to the Ukrainian city end up working as prostitutes in the UK, but our government seems unwilling to act.
The US State Department published the 2011 Trafficking in Human Beings Report
BULGARIA (Tier 2)
Bulgaria is a source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for women and children who are subjected to sex trafficking, and men, women, and children subjected to conditions of forced labor.
Albanians arrested in Italy for outrage against Bulgarian women
Albanians kidnapped a pregnant Bulgarian woman with the aim of forcing her into prostitution, reports the Italian newspaper „Corriere della Sera“.
OSCE launches guide for police on identifying and assisting trafficking victims
The publication, Trafficking in human beings: identification of potential and presumed victims.
2011 Special Rapporteur on trafficking presents 2011 report
Ms. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, in her role as the U.N. Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, released her latest report which covers the period from 1 March 2010 to 1 March 2011. This report includes an overview of the activities undertaken by the Special Rapporteur as well as an analysis of an effective remedy for trafficked persons.
CNN has developed a year long campaign to raise awareness about and join the effort to combat human trafficking. The campaign will include a series of news features covering the various aspects of modern-day slavery worlwide.
VIENNA, 20 June 2011 – Human trafficking for labour exploitation is a new form of slavery that occurs on a massive scale, the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, said today at an OSCE-hosted conference that highlights how decent work and social justice can prevent it.
This conference will focus on human trafficking for labour exploitation, which is one of the most widespread, yet least prosecuted, forms of trafficking in human beings. Moreover, people trafficked for labour exploitation are too rarely identified as victims of a serious crime and human right’s violations.
A group dealing with trafficking in women, is held in Stara Zagora
The investigation of the anti-mafia commission lasted several months.
Global Union Body Confronts FIFA about Qatar Construction Conditions
New ITUC multimedia report uncovers the human cost of the huge migrant labour force in the Gulf States of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“Baby Factory” was revealed in Nigeria
In Western Africa, child trafficking is widespread. Families sell their children for prostitution or to work in mines. Children are offered in rituals.
„Baby Factory“ was revealed in Nigeria, reported Agence France-Presse.
Bulgarian sentenced to six years of imprisonment for pimping
The 24-year old Rosen Stoyanov was sentenced to six years of imprisonment for pimping by a court in Brussels, announced the publication „Dernier jour“, cited BTA.
TBILISI, 18 May 2011 – Trafficking for labour exploitation is widespread and countries need to take more effective measures to adequately tackle new trends in this form of modern-day slavery, said the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, at a regional conference in Tbilisi today.
MPs urge action over human trafficking trade
An MP has claimed that children are being bought and sold in the UK for £15,000, during a debate in Westminster Hall on human trafficking on 18 May 2011.
Council of Europe anti-trafficking monitoring body visits Moldova
Strasbourg, 16 May 2011- A delegation of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out a visit to Moldova from 10 to 13 May 2011 in order to prepare its first monitoring report on the fight against human trafficking in this country.
Brussels wants equal treatment of victims of trafficking in human beings
All victims of crimes in the European Union should be treated with dignity and respect, underlined the European Commission, which presented new proposals for better protection of victims of crimes in Europe, said the institution’s press-service.
Macedonian police arrest immigrant traffickers
SKOPJE, Macedonia – Police arrested eight Macedonians on Sunday (May 15th), suspected members of an international ring trafficking immigrants from northern Africa and the Middle East to the EU.
The Council of Europe’s new Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (CETS n° 210) has been opened for signature on the occasion of the 121st Session of the of Committee of Ministers taking place in Istanbul, gathering Ministers of Foreign Affairs from 47 Member States.
Europol: Bulgarian criminal groups involved in human trafficking in Europe
Criminal groups involved in trafficking of human beings (THB) are extremely sensitive to emerging or changing demand, swiftly providing human resources to be exploited in a range of environments.
A man from Ruse, trafficker of invalids for Greece, was arrested
The victims lived in basements in miserable conditions. Moreover, the man from Ruse started to abuse them.
Ahead of International Labour Day – 1 May 2011 – the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, stressed that promotion of decent work and protection of workers’ rights, including freedom of assembly and association, can help prevent and combat trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation.
US sues over „human trafficking“ in farm industry
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is seeking damages for 200 Thai workers recruited to work on farms in Hawaii and Washington state.
The Bulgarian slaves in Germany
A shocking report about the Bulgarian guest workers, published by the authoritative German magazine Der Spiegel.
A criminal group has been selling children to pedophiles in Berlin
The German police exposed a group for illegal trafficking of children from Latin America who were being sold to pedophiles from Berlin.
A group of pimps was exposed in Burgas Wednesday, 13th April 2011
A family from Burgas and their partner are arrested for pimping by the officers of the territorial directorate of the General Directorate „Combating organized crime“, announced the press center of Ministry of Interior.
A man from Sliven convicted of pimping in Belgium Thursday, 14th April 2011
Plamen Hristov Ivanov (33 years) from Sliven has been convicted in Belguim of pimping and trafficking in human beings, announced the Belgian daily „La Derniere Heure“. A sentence of four years in prison and a fine at the amount of 16 500 euro was imposed.
Nearly 2 years in prison for a pimp from Sliven Wednesday, 13th April 2011
The Regional court in Sliven sentenced and fined 34-year-old man from Sliven, who was found guilty of bringing out of the country and forcing into prostitution two women.
We “Bulgarianized” an exemplary Euro-sty
The famous throughout whole Europe quarter of the Red Lanterns in Dortmund was closed when the Bulgarian mafia changed it upon its own image, states „Independent“. According to the source, the social project turned into an exemplary to the whole EU as an arena for shootings and violent crimes.
Police investigating baby flesh trade
A FLESH trade may be in operation in Cyprus involving pregnant migrant women whose babies are adopted under circumstances being investigated by the police, Parliament’s Human Rights Committee yesterday heard.
Burgas. The District Prosecutor’s Office announced that the Regional court in Burgas found the accused Georgi Atanasov Nikolov (nickname Joro Troqneca) and Konstantin Ganchev (nickname Mudniq) guilty of the commitment of several crimes.
Supporting and assisting trafficking victims in Serbia
The UN.GIFT Joint Programme to combat human trafficking in Serbia launched a „Fund for direct assistance and social inclusion of victims of trafficking. „The programme has initiated the call for project proposals in the field of direct assistance and social inclusion of victims of trafficking.
Britain opts in to EU rules on human trafficking
The government said on Tuesday it would opt in a European Union directive on human trafficking, days after the country saw its first case of „modern-day slavery“ involving a woman trafficked from Tanzania.
Bulgarian arrested in Italy for forcing a Bulgarian woman into prostitution
The Bulgarian citizen Julian Gogov, who lives in San Giovanni Rotondo, in Puglia, was arrested by the police for the alleged abduction of a 25-year Bulgarian forcing her into prostitution, reports newspaper Gadzeta del Mezzogiorno „, quoted by BTA in correspondence from Rome.
The British partners have declared full support for the Bulgarian government
The British partners have declared full support for the Bulgarian government.
Counteraction against crimes related to trafficking in human beings
Counteraction against crimes related to trafficking in human beings requires high level of cooperation and coordination at an international level.
“Never Work Alone” Says New Report on Forced Labour
16 March 2011: Extreme exploitation of migrant workers is a dire trend throughout Europe. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is releasing Never Work Alone – a guide for trade unions and other civil society organisations to jointly combat modern-day slavery and trafficking of workers.
Thailand police investigate baby sales ring
Police in Thailand say they have broken up a Taiwanese-run ring which forced Vietnamese women in Thailand to have babies for subsequent sale.
Several Taiwanese, Chinese and Burmese people were arrested for allegedly running the operation, police said.
Pimp, inciting young woman into prostitution, was arrested upon an operation conducted by officers of the territorial unit of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime.
OSCE calls for enhanced social justice to better prevent and combat trafficking in human beings
‘HREA.org’ reports the speech by OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ms. Giammarinaro, on the occasion of the World Day for Social Justice.
In Greece, babies are for sale on the black market
‘Deutsche Welle’ reports that baby trafficking is a thriving black market industry in Greece, which does not regulate private adoptions.
Illegal immigrant detained at Sandanski
A group, trying to cross illegally the state border and to enter Bulgaria, was detained by the border police, according to the press center of the Ministry of Interior.
Former police officer detained for child trafficking
‘Nine O’Clock’ reports that a former police officer in Vaslui was detained and charged for forcing under-age girls into sexual exploitation, other police officers and gendarmes being among their clients.
Maman arrested while buying a girl
34-year-old pimp was arrested in Sliven while buying a girl aiming at smuggling her in Greece. N. D., known as Maman, was arrested at a parking west to the centrl hotel „Sliven“, according to the police.
A man arrested for inducing girls to prostitution in Belgium
30-year-old man was arrested for trafficking in human beings in Sliven region, according to the police.
Clinton participated in an assessment of the fight against human trafficking
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met other senior U.S. officials to assess efforts to combat trafficking in human beings, committed to do more to protect children and domestic workers.
Yuzeir Yuzeirov is arrested for trafficking in human beings in Belgium
One of the two brothers Yuzeirovi – Yuzeir Yuzeirov is arrested for trafficking in human beings in Belgium, according to „Focus“ Agency citing the police in Anthverpen.
London Councils has commissioned GLE Group to review the potential impact of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on human trafficking, in the context of a possible increase of people entering the UK due to human trafficking.
Super Bowl a magnet for under-age sex trade
ATLANTA (Reuters) – Pimps will traffic thousands of under-age prostitutes to Texas for Sunday’s Super Bowl, hoping to do business with men arriving for the big game with money to burn, child rights advocates said.
Roma girl from “Komluka”: Girls, don’t sell your children
„It is not good to sell children…Now, at this point, I can advise my neighbors and everyone who will listen to me – do not sell your children“.
Our Roma people lived for 10 years on “exporting” of babies
Massive police operation for breaking one of the biggest crime groups for trading babies is in process in Greece.
Bulgarian officers participate in Frontex operation against child smuggling
‘Sofia Echo’ reports of Joint Operation Agelaus in November-December last year, with the aim of increasing awareness of the illegal smuggling of children.
Turkey initiates an investigation for trafficking in human organs
Ankara, Turkey – the local media announced on Saturday (22 January) that at least 12 people are investigated for trafficking in human organs.
The trial against the businessman Atanas Mundev’s group was postponed
The district court of Sliven has postponed the trial for „money laundering“ against the local businessman and so-called criminal boss Atanas Mundev, and five more, due to the absence of the main culprit.
Iveta Cherneva „Trafficking for Begging: Old Game, New Name“
Today in Geneva, Switzerland was held an official presentation of the book of Ivet Cherneva „Trafficking for Begging: Old Game, New Name“.
Information center for combating trafficking in human beings will be opened in Sliven
Sliven. There is an idea of opening an information center for combating trafficking in human beings in Sliven. This was stated by Tatyana Veleva from the Local Commission in an interview for radio „Focus“ – Sliven.
Two pimps were arrested in Harmanli
Two men, for whom there are data that are involved in violent incitement to prostitution, were arrested by the police officers in Harmanli, stated the Regional Department of the Interior in Haskovo.
Greek attempts to bring illegally out of the country two Bulgarian children
Greek citizen was shortly sentenced in Petrich for attempted smuggling across the border of two minors, stated the Bulgarian National Radio.
Bulgarian women – victims of trafficking in organs in Kosovo?
Serbian newspaper, citing the story of an anonymous woman, states that girls from Bulgaria are among the victims of trafficking in organs in Albania and Kosovo.
Bulgarian emigrants shot in Portugal
Three Bulgarian emigrants were shot near the Portuguese city Alzhushtrel in the region Beja.
Officers of Chief Directorate „Border Police“ found out, together with the Polish border authorities, an organized illegal trafficking from Greece to Germany.
Serbia: investigation has found 500 organ trafficking victims
War crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic said on Thursday (December 16th) that an investigation he led has revealed at least 500 victims of alleged organ trafficking by ethnic Albanian guerrillas in 1999.
Hachim Tatchi’s name related to trafficking in organs and drugs
Ex-commanders of the Kosova Liberty Army (KLA) are accused for violating human rights, trafficking in organs and drugs, according to a report of an authority at the Council of Europe.
EU judge in Kosovo hears organ trafficking case
PRISTINA, Kosovo – A prosecutor charged in court Tuesday that seven Kosovans on trial in Pristina were part of an elaborate international network that traded in the organs of people living in extreme poverty.
Selling babies in Greece turns into business in Bulgaria
‘Standart’ reports that according to the National Commission for Combating Human Trafficking, the trafficking of babies has become a ‘business’ in the regions of Pleven and Kamenar in Bulgaria. Most of the buyers are Greek and many of the women travel to Greece to give birth. The article mentions a fixed price for babies.
Illegal border crossings down in Greece
ATHENS, Greece – Local media reported Wednesday (November 24th) that the flow of illegal immigrants trying to enter the EU through Greece has dropped significantly since the deployment of EU border police.
EU ministers agree to widen human trafficking net
The definition of human trafficking in the EU is set to be widened to include „instigating, aiding, abetting or attempting“ to commit the offence.
Dark-skinned, under-aged and sick “white slaves”
Many young and often under-aged girls of Roma origin, of poor health and with previous experience as victims of torture.
The Romanian and French police busted a prostitution network in Paris
The Romanian and French police busted a prostitution network in Paris, in which minor girls were forced into prostitution, announced the Romanian prosecution, cited by the Agence France-Presse.
Five persons are arrested for trafficking in women with the aim of sexual exploitation in Dobrich
There is information that the group has been dealing with money laundering.
Two Bulgarian arrested in Lyon for pimping
There is an announced international search for the third accomplice, brother of the arrested persons; the estimated income received by the pimps out of the exploitation of five prostitutes is above 1 million euros.
Three men from Stara Zagora are arrested.
Five Bulgarians arrested in Poland for trafficking in women
Five Bulgarian citizens were arrested in Poland for trafficking in women and girls with the aim of prostitution.
Tsvetanov: Politicians and magistrates have been blackmailed with prostitutes
Bulgaria has become the third country in the level of trafficking in girls, right after Romania and Ukraine. This conclusion was made by the Deputy Prime-Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov at a round table meeting at the National Assembly.
The Spanish Prosecutor General files for jail and fine for the son of Stanimir Ilchev
The Prosecutor General of the Spanish town Almeria files for 10 years in jail and approximately 20 000 euro fine for Vladimir Ilchev – son the Bulgarian member of the European Parliament, Stanimir Ilchev.
Celebrating the European Day for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
The information campaign with regard to the European Day for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings – 18 October – starts today in Sliven.
Romanian children found working in Worcestershire field
Seven Romanian children between the ages of nine and 16 have been found working in a field in Worcestershire.
“Trafficking” in human beings at Sliven Theater
The Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings organized a celebration event with regards to the Day for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings – 18 October.
Belgrade hosts conference on human trafficking
BELGRADE, Serbia – Belgrade is hosting a conference Monday (October18th) to mark European Anti-Trafficking Day.
EU steps up fight against human trafficking and child sex predators
The commission is calling for tougher laws against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children, saying Europe is losing the battle against these crimes.
A seminar against trafficking in human beings
An educational seminar for the implementation of programs for prevention of trafficking in human beings has started in Sliven under the initiative of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
Ukrainian woman arrested for selling her daughter
A Ukrainian police arrested a young woman who tried to sell her two-year-old daughter, most probably for trafficking of organs.
Bulgarians trade a newborn for 5000 euro in Greece
A criminal group trading newborn children in Greece was arrested on the territory of Sliven, according to the press center of the Ministry of Interior.
Two families were arrested for trade with children
The criminal group that had been selling newborn children in Greece was arrested on the territory of Sliven, according to the press center of the Ministry of Interior.
Turkish police bust international prostitution ring
ANKARA, Turkey – Police have detained ten people on suspicion of running an international prostitution ring aboard a luxury yacht once used by the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Ataturk.
31-year old man from Burgas is arrested for human trafficking
Source: http://www.dnes.bg/crime/2010/08/02/31-godishen-burgazliia-zadyrjan-za-trafik-na-jeni.95686
Spain breaks up male-prostitute trafficking gang
By DANIEL WOOLLS , 08.31.10, 05:51 AM EDT
MADRID – Spanish police say that for the first time they have broken up a human-trafficking gang that brought men to the country to work as prostitutes, providing them with Viagra, cocaine and other stimulant drugs to be available for sex 24 hours a day.
NCCTHB just made its own page in Facebook
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings just made its own page in the social network Facebook.
The political economy of prostitution
Bulgaria’s sex industry was hit by the global financial crisis in 2009, leading to a reduction in fees for services, according to recently-released research by the Sofia-based Centre for the Study of Democracy.
We still have much to do to fight human trafficking
Bulgaria does not meet the minimum standards to eliminate this type of crime according to a report by the U.S. State Department. Bulgaria is among the countries that do not fully cover the minimum standards to eliminate trafficking but is making significant efforts to accomplish it.
Police bust organized criminal group for human trafficking
Razgrad. Razgrad Department for Combating Organized Crime has busted an organized criminal group for human trafficking for exploitation, Razgrad District Police Directorate announced.
U.S.Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2010
Secretary Clinton (June 14, 2010): „The 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report outlines the continuing challenges across the globe, including in the United States.
80% of prostitutes in France are foreigners
Between 18 000 and 20 000 women prostitute in France and at least 80% of them are foreigners. This was announced in a Report for Combating Pimping and Prostitution, presented in the French Senate by the Minister of interior Brice Hortefeux, announced the newspaper „Le Monde“.
Why girls from Ruse and Pleven?
At least half of the prostitutes in the German cities of Bremen and Bremerhaven are Bulgarians. Their pimps are also Bulgarians. For several years the local police has been trying to cope with the problem. Is there any success?
Varna: special operation against trafficking in women
Specialized police operation was carried out in Varna, announced BGNES.
Police cracked a prostitution ring close to Botevgrad
The police carried out an operation against human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation in the region of Botevgrad, announced the Ministry of Interior.
The National Programme for Combating Human Trafficking was adotped today
Today, April 14, 2010, the Council of Ministers adopted the National Programme for Prevention and Counteraction of Trafficking in Human Beings and Protection of the Victims for 2010.
UN.GIFT is financing NGO projects
Deadline 05 April 2010.
Pimp arrested minutes before leaving Bulgaria
The police was chasing a notorious pimp in the region of Kulata.
European Coordination for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
The position of a European Coordination for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings had been already established within the European Commission and the funds for its functioning ensured.
Fake Bulgarian passports confiscated during an operaiton in Turkey
Fake Bulgarian passports, documents, weapons and a large amount of currency were found during a massive operation against illegal human trafficking carried out by the Turkish security forces.
Two pimps sentenced in France for murdering a Bulgarian prostitute
In the French town of Aix-en-Provence, two pimps were sentenced to 22 years in prison for muderning a Bulgarian prostitute 5 years ago, says the electronic issue „Provence“.
Crete police arrest Bulgarians for illegal adoption
Police in Crete have arrested three Bulgarians and two Greeks in connection with an alleged illegal adoption, Greek daily Kathimerini said on February 16 2010.
POLL LINKS SEX TRADE TO SPREAD OF EU
SEX workers from Romania and Bulgaria account for one in five prostitutes in Europe as a result of EU enlargement, according to a survey.
Request for Grant Applications for Projects on Women’s Issues in Bulgaria
The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that Bulgarian organizations are eligible to participate in the Secretary of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues’ Small Grants Initiative.
Prostitutes in Greece demand brothel license
Prostitutes in Greece demand brothel license.
Romanian prostitutes flee to Western EU to escape tough laws
Hooked on heroin and with a small child to support, Ana-Marie decided to sell the only asset she had. She became part of an exodus of desperate women from Romania that led the country to be named this week as Europe’s main exporter of prostitutes.
Pedophile group cracked during a joint operation
Early this morning, police from sector „Cyber crimes“, Directorate General „Combating Organized Crime“ (DGCOC), police from sector „Child criminality“, Metropolitan Directorate of Internal Affairs, police from the sector for combating organized crime with the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Sliven, and prosecutors from the specilized unit for cyber crimes in the Sofia Regional Prosecution Office conducted a joint operation.
Kalin Kamenov is the new deputy chairperson of the SACP
By order of the prime minister Boyko Borisov, the new deputy chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection is Kalin Kamenov.
VIENNA, 22 December 2009 – Judge and European Commission expert Maria Grazia Giammarinaro of Italy has been appointed OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, announced Ambassador Mara Marinaki of Greece, Chairperson of the Permanent Council, today.
The case against Danch Prucha is open
For the second time, the Vratza regional court sets the date for the case against the group of Yordan Tomov, alias Dancho Prucha, charged with drugs distribution, pimping and human trafficking.
Mother goes to trial for selling her 8-day-old baby
A woman from the village of Kamenar, Varna Region, will go to trial today for selling her baby in the Greek city Xanti for the amount of 1350 Euros.
Sliven police arrested a 34-year old man part of a scheme for recruitment of women, who were forced to prostitute abroad.
India court raises question of legalising prostitution
India’s Supreme Court has asked the government to consider whether it might legalise prostitution if it is unable to curb it effectively.
Family charged with violence against children and human trafficking
The Regional Office of the Prosecution in Pleven has put forward an indictment in the Regional Court against two women and a man from the village of Gorna Mitropolia for using two underage girls for sexual activities and forced labour as well as for forced theft.
Deceived construction workers eat out of garbage containers in Munich
Thirty five out of the 50 Bulgarian construction workers exploited as slaves by a German construction firm in Munich arrived yesterday night by bus in Veliko Tarnovo. The men were deceived by the German firm and when they ended up without payment, they were forced to eat out of garbage containers.
Women deceived with work forced to prostitute
In 2008, there were 482 preliminary investigations against human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Germany. This means an increase of 6% since 2007. There is an increase in victims from Bulgaria and Romania.
Bulgarian sex workers most popular in Germany
In 2008, the victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Germany were mostly Bulgarians and Romanians.
Huge trafficking channel was cracked in Sliven
The biggest channel for baby trafficking was cracked by Sliven police, writes Sliveninfor.
Minister Popova at a forum against human trafficking
The Justice Minister Margarita Popova will be discussing with her colleagues from EU member states how to increase the efficacy of limiting human trafficking, especially trafficking in children.
How Bulgarian pimps operate in Europe
Traffickers are becoming more professional and adaptive to police action, points out an annual report of the Belgian Centre for Equal Opportunity and Opposition to Racism, which was announced by the Brussels’ newspaper „Le Soir“.
Sweden calls for action against human trafficking
Sweden Calls for Stronger and Urgent Global Action to Combat and Eliminate the Modern Slavery of Human Trafficking.
EuropeAid – Call for proposals
Call for proposals: Thematic programme of cooperation with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum.
Nadya Shabani will be the new chair of the State Agency for Child Protection
Sofia. The government chose Nadya Shabani as the new chair of the State Agency for Child Protection, announced the government’s press office.
Three Bulgarians detained for trying to sell a baby
The police in the Greek city Katerini cracked a foreign ring and detained three Bulgarians trying to sell a two-month-old baby, announced ANA-MPA.
Centre for supporting sex workers opened today
The first Centre for health prevention and support of sex workers in Bulgaria was opened. There sex workers can get consultations with professionals from foundation „Doze of love“, says Monitor.
Prostitution – an official article in Hungary
For the first time, in calculatin GDP, Hungary included prostitution and drug trade.
German pedophile for raping babies
72-year-old pedophile paid children with chocolate to take pictures of them naked.
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Bulgarian forcing disabled people to beg was detained in Greece
The police in the northern Greek twon of Thessaloniki cracked a criminal group that forced disabled people to beg, announced ANA/MPA News Agency.
Romania legalizing prostitution?
The Presidential Commission for Analysis of Social and Demographic Risks in Romania suggested in a report the legalization of prostitution and drug use, announced Mediafax Agency, cited by BNA.
Vietnam baby fraud trial begins
Sixteen people have gone on trial in Vietnam accused of committing fraud over the foreign adoption of more than 250 babies, a court official says.
Greek police cracked human trafficking ring
ATHENS, Greece – Police announced on Monday (September 21) the arrest of nine people allegedly connected to a human trafficking network.
The Local Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Varna, and Directorate „Prevention“, Municipality of Varna, together with the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, have started a Campaign for prevention of human trafficking for labour exploitation „Where are you going?“
Bulgarian workers bath in a common ditch in Italy
The „Corriere della serra“ newspaper tells about the harsh conditions under which 112 Bulgarians and Romanians, who came to work in agriculture, lived.
Bulgarian arrested in Athens for human trafficking
A 50-year-old Bulgarian man was arrested in the Athens neighbourhood of Glyfada, charged with human trafficking.
Four detained for kidnapping a 21-year-old woman
Four men have been detained for kidnapping a 21-year-old woman, said the Ministry of Interior.
Migrants hit by global downturn
There has been a dramatic decline in the number of people going to work abroad since the start of the global downturn, according to a new report.
The suspects of selling their baby charged with neglect
The suspects of selling their baby from the village of Novachene have been released after the 24 hours of detainment passed. The mother of the baby and the intermediaries have not been charged with human trafficking, but in neglect. Report by Mirolyuba Benatova and cameraman Blagoy Momchilov.
Sex trafficker jailed for five-and-a-half years
A Bulgarian restaurant owner has been jailed for five-and-a-half years for trafficking women into the UK and forcing them into prostitution by threatening to harm their families.
Mother arrested for selling her baby in Albania
During a specialized operation, police from the capital detained parents who sold their baby.
Plovdiv police chases prostitutes away from building entrances
Plovdiv police are inspected for beating and bagging the money of the prostitutes in the city, announced the chief of the local directorate of the Ministry of Interior, commissioner Angel Rangelov.
Bulgarian non-governmental organizations can send applications for the Human Rights Award by France.
An international channel for human trafficking cracked
An international channel for trafficking was cracked by the police in Blagoevgrad. Attempting to cross the border with Greece at Kulata, a truck coming from Moldova was held for a search. During the search in a hidden place two Moldovan citizens were found: 20 year old L.P. and 21 year old A.C.
Italy: Illegal migration is a problem for the EU
Italy called for a pan European solution to the problem of illegal migration, a few days after the news of African migrants drowning in the Mediterranean, said Reuters.
Nigerians forced to prostitute in Europe by voodoo threats
The Spanish and Italian police cracked a gang that used threats of voodoo magic to force Nigerians, illegally smuggled into Spain, to work as prostitutes in Germany, announced Reuters.
International prostitution ring cracked in Brazil
Nine Brazilian and 3 American citizens have been arrested for sending at least 200 Brazilian prostitutes to Las Vegas casinos, resorts in the Dominican Republic and France, announced the Brazilian Polices cited by AFP.
The twelve suspects were arrested on Friday as part of a six-month-long operation „Harem“, said a representative of the federal police in Sao Paolo.
Illegal migration is a now a crime in Italy
The stricter law for combating crime and illegal migration officially entered into force today in Italy with the publication in the State Gazette of the regulation for its execution, announced AFP.
A Bulgarian pimp was sent to a French prison
A 37-year-old man was extradited from Bulgaria on a request from France where he was sentenced by proxy in December 2007 to 5 years in prison for pimping was sent in prison today in the south-eastern city of Draguignan, announced AFP.
Arrest in Romania for trafficking in human egg-cells
Three people in Romania are charged for trafficking in human egg-cells.
Games may spark prostitution rise
London could see an increase in prostitution and sex trafficking in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics.
A report by the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) warned the increase in would put women at risk.
Italy passed a strict anti-immigration law
Yesterday, Italy passed an anti-immigration law qualifying illegal migration as a crime. The law was a priority for the prime minister Silvio Berlusconi after coming back to power a year ago. The Italian senate voted 157 votes „for“, 124 „against“ and 3 abstained.
Greek policemen arrested for trafficking
ATHENS, Greece – Police arrested four fellow officers Wednesday (July 8th), suspected in involvement in the trafficking of hundreds of women for prostitution.
Migrants – particularly affected by the crisis
How does the economic crisis affect migrants? According to a up-to-date research by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), these people are particularly affected by the consequences of the financial downturn.
The crisis hit even the Amsterdam prostitutes
Fierce battle for clients, price cuts and more favourable promotions are taking over the market for paid love in Amsterdam, reported agencies.
Bulgarian prostitutes wave goodbye to Europe
Bulgarian prostitutes return from large European cities to their home towns.
20% of women in Russe and Pleven are victims of human traffi
20% of the women in 16 villages in Pleven and Russe have become victims of human trafficking since 2007.
Swiss bust child pornography ring
Swiss police say they have uncovered an internet child pornography network spanning 78 countries and involving at least 2,000 IP internet addresses.
Prostitutes spread AIDS abroad
Underage prostitutes from Russe villages along the Danube and from the district of Pleven spread AIDS to unsuspecting clients.
Police bust sex trafficking group in Europe
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Police in Italy and across Europe have arrested a group of mainly Nigerian citizens accused of trafficking women for sex, European police agency Europol said on Wednesday.
26-year-old trafficker was detained in Pazardjik
A 26-year-old, who organized trafficking of women for sexual exploitation, is detained in Pazardjik, announced the Ministry of Interior.
We’ve got a deal. A Moldovan woman sold her child for $1
A Moldovan peasant sold her new born baby for 12 Moldovan lei (about $1), announced the Ministry of Interior of Moldova.
Shop for human organs. The desperation of the middle class.
The latest stage of Internet trade is sale of people, whole or in parts. Ads for sale of organs are published in „Urgent or special ads“, said the Italian daily La Repubblica.
Chinese Police Rescue Trafficked Children
Police across China have rescued 23 children in a nationwide crackdown on child trafficking from poor provinces, state media said.
Ethiopia: AU Commission to launch initiative against human trafficking
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The African Union Commission announced that it will launch an initiative against trafficking in human beings, AU.COMMIT Campaign, among African population within the continent and in the Diaspora.
Evgeni Dikov: We have gaps in combating trafficking in human
Evgeni Dikov, prosecutor from the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Cassation, said in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio that the prosecution has gaps in combating trafficking in human beings.
A Dutch swimming teacher molested children
A Dutch swim coach was arrested for molesting mentally retarded children, announced AFP.
USA: Bulgaria is a country of origin for human trafficking
Bulgaria is a point of origin, transit and to a lesser degree of destination for people subject of illegal trafficking.
SANS detained two lawyers for trafficking in children
The lawyer Emil Kostadinov and junior lawyer Dilyana Stoyanova as well as Albena Cherimi have been detained for presumptive participation in a criminal group for child trafficking, announced the press centre of the State Agency „National Security“.
Two Lawyers Were Busted for Baby Trafficking
Bulgaria’s State Agency for National Security together with the National Investigating Office and under the supervision of Mr. Mario Stoyanov – Public Prosecutor in the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of Cassation caught tree people for baby trafficking, two of whom were lawyers.
Child criminality is declining
In the last 5 years, we have seen a permanent decrease in child criminality, said Constantine Tomanov, secretary of the Central Commission for Combating Juvenile Delinquency.
USA gives us a 4 for combating trafficking in human beings
Bulgaria is exerting efforts, however, it does not cover fully the USA legislative standards in the field, according to the US State Department.
“150 illegal prostitutes mostly from Bulgaria were detained…“
Tuesday, the online edition of the German newspaper Bild wrote about the end of three-month long police actions in the central parts of Frankfurt on Maine, announced Deutsche Welle.
Bulgarian mothers tricked into selling babies
Yanna Dobrena Yordanova is 23 years old, heavily pregnant and deeply distraught.
Trader of “white slaves” was detained in Sunny Beach
The police detained a trader of „white slaves“ in Sunny Beach. The man is 25 years old and he is from Stara Zagora.
Mother and son were arrested in Varna
Mother and son were arrested in Varna for participation in a criminal network for trafficking in women, announced the Ministry of Interior.
Macedonian was arrested for human trafficking
A Macedonian citizen was arrested by the Blagoevgrad police, announced the Ministry of Interior.
3000 Romanian children disappeared for a year
Over 3000 Romanian children have been reported missing during the past year.
Albanian “students” suspected in a scheme for illegal traffi
Tirana, Albania – the Italian authorities sent home 170 Albanians on Sunday, who spent four days at the harbor city of Trieste because of visa problems.
The problem of child trafficking is a social problem as well
There is still a high number of Bulgarian citizens falling victims to human trafficking.
109 are the prostituting Roma women in Sliven
109 Roma girls are prostituting in Sliven. The number of boys is 18, announced Sliveninfo.com.
China database to track children
China is setting up a national DNA database to help trace missing children, as the authorities struggle to tackle people trafficking.
Children – the victims of human trafficking /Roundup/
Sofia. „The percentage of Bulgarians that become victims of human trafficking is still very high“ – this was one of the statements made during the forum „Combating Child Trafficking: Challenges, Promising Practices and Cooperation“, organised in Sofia today.
18 Bulgarian were arrested for baby porno
Massive police action against the circulation of materials with sexual abuse of children in the Internet was carried out in the whole country, announced the press center of the Ministry of Interior.
We are third in trafficking in human beings in Europe
Bulgaria is third in human trafficking of its citizens from all European countries, announced the Bulgarian National Radio.
Father killed his baby so he won’t have to sell it
The body of a two-month-old baby was sound in a garbage container in the village of Sanadinovo, district of Pleven.
15 years of imprisonment and a fine of 100 000 BGN for human trafficking
As of 10th April 2009, with the changes in the Penalty code concerning human trafficking, the minimum sentence of imprisonment is raised from at least two years to up to fifteen years in case the criminal act is done against a pregnant woman with the purpose of selling the child.
Germany breaks up child porn ring
Police in Germany have said they have broken up a child pornography network suspected of involving around 9,000 people in more than 90 countries.
Bulgarians taking over Dortmund
The citizens and local politicians of Dortmund are growing more concerned about the massive inflow of extremely poor Bulgarians to the city, commented Deutsche Welle.
A channel for illegal trafficking in human beings was cracke
Zagreb, Croatia – The Croatian police announces that 42 people were arrested on Thursday (April 2) on suspicions of smuggling 200 illegal immigrants in Western European countries.
Child prostitutes rescued in US
US authorities have rescued nearly 50 child prostitutes – some as young as 13 – in a nationwide operation against the trafficking of children for sex.
Mira Sorvino – UN goodwill ambassador for combating traffick
At a two-hour long special ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New York City, the American film star Mira Sorvino was chosen as a goodwill ambassador for combating trafficking in human beings with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
9 suspects were arrested for trafficking in human 2008
Over 2600 specialized police operations for observance of public order were carried out in the district of Sliven in 2008.
UN: Many countries ignore human trafficking
The situation of human trafficking for sexual or labour exploitation is worsening given that many countries ignore the worldwide problem, said the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The Dutch opened a shelter for men-victims of domestic viole
The first 4 shelters for men-victims of domestic violence opened in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, Netherlands, announced ITAR-TASS. Every 5th victim of domestic violence is a man, said the project coordinator Patricia Go.
The Spanish police cracked a Romanian channel for forced lab
Madrid, Spain Police arrested 19 Romanians, suspected in enslaving 27 Romanian women, forcing them to work without payment and to beg, announced the Ministry of Interior on Friday (February 6).
Bulgarian prostitute was kidnapped, beaten and raped by Roma
A Bulgarian prostitute, age 21, was kidnapped by 3 Romanians in front of a hotel in Padua, Italy where she was staying, announced the Italian information agency APCOM, a subsidiary of Associated Press.
Rome, a Bulgarian citizen was arrested for sexual violence.
The carabinieri from section „Roma Cassia“ arrested a 44-year-old Bulgarian for alleged rape, kidnapping and beating.
Suspected Rome rapists arrested
Police have arrested five Romanians they believe were responsible for raping of a 21-year-old Italian woman and brutally beating her boyfriend during the night between last Thursday and Friday in a town outside the Italian capital.
Three Bulgarian women were arrested for pick-pocketing in Au
Three Bulgarian women, age 16, 27 and 32q were arrested and charged for approximately 70 presumptive cases of pick-pocketing in the public transportation in Melbourne, said the Australian newspaper „The Age“
Tram scammers: cops nick slick pick-pockets
Unwitting commuters have fallen victim to a slick international ring of female pick-pockets operating on Melbourne’s trams, police say.
New Norway law bans buying of sex
A new law has come into force in Norway making the purchase of sex illegal.
Norway bans prostitution because of Sliven pimps
On January 1, Norway outlawed the purchase of sex by its citizens both in the country and abroad.
See migrants as part of the solution during economic crisis
GENEVA – 18 December 2008 – Countries should recognize the positive contribution that migrants can make to economic growth and recovery and resist the temptation to close doors to them in times of economic slowdown, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as it marks International Migrants’ Day today.
Drudgery of Bulgarians in Italian circus
Source: News.dir.bg
Drudgery of Bulgarians in Italian circus.
Deputy minister Goran Ionov: our joint work will strengthen the efforts to combat illegal migration
Source: mvr.bg
Deputy minister Goran Ionov: our joint work will strengthen the efforts to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and terrorism.
Two Bulgarians arrested for sex trafficking in Netherlands.
Two Bulgarians arrested for sex trafficking in Netherlands.
Source: mvr.bg
Channel for trafficking in human beings from Bulgaria to the Netherlands was uncovered during a joint action, conducted by officials from the Chief Directorate „Combating Organized Crime“ (CDCOC) and Dutch policemen.
The Western heaven still exists
Source: News.dir.bg
According to 38 per cent of the people under the age of 35, the emigration is a good solution for the financial problems.
The results from a survey on human traffic are being presented
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings organizes a workshop, where the results from the national survey on the attitudes towards human traffic shall be presented, as well as the priorities in the work of the Commission in 2008.
Bulgarian and Greek border police attempt is to eliminate the international human trafficking chanel
Yesterday in the border checkpoint- Kulata arrived, to enter in the country, a lorry „Reno“ with Greek registration number.
The Bulgarians in Spain – already over 100 000
Author: newspaper „Monitor“
The Bulgarians in Spain – already over 100 000.
Most of the operation for organs removing are done in Turkey, Georgia and Chech Republic.
According to the organization „International analyst network“, most of the operations for removing organs for sale, are done in Turkey, Czech Republic and Georgia, announced radio „Deutsche Welle“.
Athens, Greece – The police busted international network
Athens, Greece – The police busted international network for illegal traffic of women for prostitution and arrested 30 people in Athens and Thessaloniki in major police action on Thursday (29 November).
Vienna is waiting for our dyers
Author: newspaper „Standart“
Vienna is waiting for our dyers.
French pedophile took Gavroche from the station
Author: newspaper „Trud“
French pedophile took Gavroche from the station.
France exiles Bulgarian illegal immigrants by force
Author: newspaper „24 chasa“
France exiles Bulgarian illegal immigrants by force.
London retains the restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians
Author: newspaper „Dnevnik“
London retains the restrictions on Bulgarians and Romanians.
Bulgaria is rated among the first in EU concerning illegal labour
Author: Adriana Mladenova, newspaper „Monitor“
Bulgaria is rated among the first in EU concerning illegal labour.
10 000 Bulgarian women are victims of sexual exploitation
In Bulgaria, ten thousand women per year are becoming victims of traffic for sexual exploitation, and 600- 800 thousand per year – in the world, said in her speech, Nadezhda Mihaylova, Chairperson of the Board of the Institute for Democracy and Stability in Southeastern Europe, at a special conference on the issue.