9 August 2012

A EULEX pre-trial judge ordered detention on remand for two suspects and house detention for eight others for a period of fifteen (15) days in an organized crime case. All ten defendants are under investigation for the criminal offences of organized crime and trafficking in persons.

The case relates to the alleged trafficking of women from Moldova who were employed as waitresses in a number of bars in the Gjakova region, but were forced to perform sexual acts for paying customers. Among the defendants are bar owners/managers, a hotel owner and two officials who are said to have facilitated the provision of permits to legitimize the women’s residence in Kosovo.

The case is being investigated by a local prosecutor from Kosovo’s Special Prosecution Office.