Discovery of children in Brčko: Eight people arrested, EUROPOL involved

(Patria) - The Brčko District Police issued a new press release following the discovery of 31 children in a house in Brčko, with eight people arrested.

"Taking action within their jurisdiction, police officers of the Brčko District Police of BiH, on 02/25/2025, under the supervision of the Brčko District Prosecutor's Office of BiH and in cooperation with the Social Protection Department of Brčko District of BiH, and the Red Cross/Crescent of Brčko District of BiH, found 31 children and took them to a safe place.

As part of the activities so far, eight individuals have been arrested on suspicion of committing the criminal offenses of 'Human Trafficking' under Article 207a, 'Child Trafficking' under Article 207b, and 'Neglect or Abuse of a Child' under Article 216 in conjunction with Article 31 of the Criminal Code of Brčko District of BiH. The investigation into the mentioned event is complex and involves multiple lines of action, with urgent investigative measures being taken. In this regard, under the supervision of the relevant prosecutor, police officers of the Brčko District Police of BiH are prioritizing all necessary evidentiary actions, during which cooperation has been established with the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, as well as necessary international cooperation through EUROPOL.

Later today, the Brčko District Police of BiH will submit a Report on Committed Criminal Offenses to the Brčko District Prosecutor's Office of BiH against a number of suspects, for further criminal prosecution and the determination of detention measures. Further investigative activities will continue with undiminished intensity, and the public will be informed of important information to the extent that it does not harm the investigation.

As a precaution, considering the legal provisions for handling criminal cases against perpetrators of criminal offenses against children and minors, as well as the universal rights of the child, we remind again of the obligation to proceed with particular caution in this case," the Brčko District Police announced.