In a joint operation of investigators from the National Investigation Service (NIS), Directorate General “Fight against organized crime” - MoI and the judicial authorities of the Swiss Confederation, the activity of an organized criminal group for human trafficking with the purpose of begging was interrupted.
On 08.11.2022, search and seizure were carried out on the territory of Lukovit municipality, in order to document the criminal activity of the group, announced the Deputy Prosecutor General for the investigation and Director of the National Investigation Service Borislav Sarafov.
Bulgarian citizens were forced to beg on the territory of two cities in Switzerland, being "held in slavery" and living in harsh living conditions. The victims of human trafficking are from the Lukovit region. "The funds acquired from this begging were mainly transferred to Bulgaria," said Sarafov, who highlighted the good cooperation between Bulgarian and Swiss authorities.
Prosecutor Alexandra Sarkis from the Prosecutor's Office in Geneva explained that the investigation into the case was carried out for 18 months. "We are grateful for the support of the Bulgarian side, without which we would not have been able to stop the activities of the criminal group," Sarkis told journalists at a briefing. She clarified that six persons have been detained so far, who will be brought before the court in Switzerland after closure of the investigation.
