A Bulgarian court has found a husband and wife guilty of human trafficking, specifically for recruiting women for prostitution in Greece over fourteen years ago. The horrifying ordeal occurred in 2010, but due to their continued residency in Greece, the couple evaded justice in Bulgaria until recently.
The victims were lured under false pretenses. One woman was promised work as a waitress at a restaurant, while another believed she was getting a job caring for the elderly. Both promises were lies, leading to their exploitation in the sex trade.
The court’s verdict delivered a hefty punishment. The wife, A.O., was sentenced to two years in prison with an initial strict security regime, along with a $1,500 fine. Adding to her sentence was a previous conviction from 2009 for driving under the influence of alcohol which resulted in a six-month prison term.
Her husband, B.O., while not directly involved in recruiting one of the women, was given a two-year sentence with an initial standard regime. Both were ordered to pay a staggering $7,500 in compensation to one of the victims to cover the emotional trauma they endured.
The couple is also responsible for covering court costs, amounting to $1,450. The verdict allows for a 15-day appeal period.