Illustrative stock photo (source: SME)
Milan M. (42) and František M. (55) have been accused of human trafficking. If the courts find them guilty, they will spend seven to 12 years in prison, the SITA newswire reported.
Aside from Slovakia, the group was active in Austria, Germany, Belgium, and Denmark. The women came mostly from socially weaker communities, particularly from Košice and its surrounding. The group promised them work. They learned about the marriage only on their way to Bratislava or Vienna.
If the women refused to get married, the group intimidated and also tortured them, Police Presidium spokesperson Michal Slivka told SITA. In addition, the women were forced to sign various documents.
The women were then taken by the foreign accomplice of the two men to Germany or Belgium where they met their husbands, usually coming from countries outside the European Union. They then travelled to Denmark, where the marriage took place. After the ceremony, they returned to Germany or Belgium and the foreigners applied for documents enabling them to reside in EU countries, the TASR newswire wrote.
Members of the group received €3,000 for one marriage, as reported by SITA.
