Two people arrested for organizing prostitution in Banja Luka, victims brought from Brazil

(Patria) - An operation against international recruitment for prostitution was carried out in the Banja Luka area, on the order of the BiH Prosecutor's Office.

The victims of the criminal offenses are citizens of Brazil, who were exploited by two suspected persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation, thereby achieving significant illegal property gain. During the operation, two victims were discovered and accommodated, and the exact number of affected victims is being determined.

A prosecutor from the Department for Combating Human Smuggling and Trafficking coordinated the activities of police officers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska related to the arrest and searches of premises used by persons suspected of international recruitment for prostitution.

According to the collected evidence, international recruitment and incitement to prostitution were carried out by bringing foreign citizens to BiH and were most often realized in rented apartments in the Banja Luka area.

In this manner, the suspects realized illegal property gain and committed the exploitation of persons they engaged to provide sexual services, for monetary amounts they previously agreed upon. The investigation determined that this is a well-organized group operating in the EU area for the exploitation and incitement to prostitution of foreign citizens coming from outside the EU.

The suspects are charged with the criminal offense of international incitement to prostitution under Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the criminal offense of incitement to prostitution under Article 169 of the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska.

The BiH Prosecutor's Office continues the investigation in this case and will, in the coming period, carry out cooperation and use the capacities and resources of the BiH OSA to gather information, evidence, and knowledge, and will also establish international cooperation with EUROPOL, EUROJUST, and INTERPOL.

Based on international legal assistance, several requests for information will be sent to various countries.

The acting prosecutor will make a decision on further actions in the case that will ensure the unimpeded continuation of the investigation conducted by the BiH Prosecutor's Office with partner police agencies.