Homel foremen can be sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for slave trade
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8:51, — society
The first case of human trafficking in Belarus is tried. The case has been brought up against those who were bringing workers to Moscow. Three men invited people in regions to work as façade workers. They are charged with participation in an organized criminal group. The prosecutor has proposed a punishment of 15 and 12 years in prison for the foremen.
A correspondent of the “KP in Belarus” was at the session of the court. Many of persons affected were not present at the session of the court. As said by the lawyer, they have gone to Moscow for seasonal labour again! Their written testimony was read. According to testimonies, people were hired and were promised wages of $ 1,000 per month and good working and living conditions. And they had to content themselves with mattresses on a concrete floor, and water gruel. They were to work at a frost of -30 degrees Centigrade without days-off.
“There were 6 washing basins with cold water per 100 workers, and four WCs. They often had just tea for breakfast. They worked without registration. Policemen arrived and said us to clear off from Moscow next day, but the foreman arranged with them about everything. We were not allowed to go to the city downtown,” the testimony reads. The complainants said they had received almost no money.
The prosecutor offered a punishment of 15 years of imprisonment and confiscation of property for the organizer of the criminal group, and 12 years for his accomplices.
None of them admitted guilt. In their final statement foreman said that every fifth of them was a professional, and their wages were rather good. Others couldn’t do anything, they were breaking and selling materials and drinking. Those who wanted made beds for themselves, others who were lazy were sleeping on the floor.
“But there is no arguing with the machine,” one of the accused said. “It is a latest fashion to call criminal groups, to fight against imaginary exploitation of Belarusians abroad… but why hundreds thousands citizens are forced to leave for Moscow? That’s because pay in a collective farm is 50,000 Br a month, which is not enough even for eating such gruel!”
Delivering the judgement has been postponed again. It is possible that the decision is to be announced in the end of this week.
