Trafficking Incident in Ninotsminda: Armenian Citizens Affected

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has reported a case of human trafficking in the municipality of Ninotsminda. A father and son, born in 1960 and 1994 respectively, identified as B. Ts. and M. Ts., have been arrested on charges of trafficking three individuals, according to aliq.ge.

“The investigation found that the accused offered work under good conditions to three citizens of the Republic of Armenia between 2015 and 2016, assisted them in obtaining necessary documents, and transported them to Georgia in their own vehicle. B. Ts. and M. Ts. took these individuals to a farm located near one of the villages of the Ninotsminda municipality, where they were threatened and forced to work, had their identification documents taken away, and were made to work without remuneration for years in conditions of modern slavery,” the statement continued.

The accused also restricted the movement of those held in illegal captivity and kept them under constant surveillance. Law enforcement became aware of the crime when one of the Armenian citizens managed to escape from the farm and reach the Georgian state border. The individual attempted to cross into Armenia illegally but was intercepted by border police.

The investigation into the trafficking incident involving three individuals is being conducted under Article 143 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which stipulates a prison sentence of 12 to 15 years,” said the statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.