Last Wednesday the Security Service of Ukraine made public the results of its activity in solving crimes connected with human trafficking. As was learned, on February 19, Ukrainian law enforcement bodies conducted a successful special operation in Liberia, where Ukrainian peacekeepers are now based. As a result, four Ukrainian citizens aged from 19 to 24 returned to their motherland. This was the first operation of its kind outside Ukraine. First Deputy Head of the Military Control Department of the SBU Yury Koyak, who directly took part in liberating the young Ukrainian women, said during the operation a human trafficking channel was closed and a criminal group liquidated.
The SBU instituted criminal proceedings under Article 149, Part II of the Criminal Code, Human Trafficking or other Illicit Transaction Concerning the Transfer of Persons. Operative and investigative actions are being taken concerning the organizers and persons involved in the crime. Among those arrested are citizens of both Ukraine and Liberia. The operation was agreed upon with law enforcement bodies of the African country, while the information on the location of the group of illegally held Ukrainian women was received due to contacts with representatives of the local authorities. “Incidentally, no norms of international law were violated,” Deputy Head of the Department to Fight Corruption and Organized Crime Mykhailo Kyiashko stressed.
Journalists were also shown a video record of the operation. Citizens of Ukraine who intended to work in the hotel and restaurant business found themselves sex slaves instead. Their documents were taken and, to distract them from the harsh reality, they were constantly given with drugs. Having no documents, the Ukrainian women, who were kept in different places, had no chance to turn to local authorities to request protection and their return to Ukraine.
