Bulgarian Baby Trafficker Suspects Held In Germany: Prosecutors
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published May 06, 2021 | 01:00 AM
German police have tracked down and arrested a Bulgarian couple accused of taking pregnant women to Greece in order to sell their babies there, Bulgarian prosecutors said on Wednesday
Sofia, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th May, 2021 ) :German police have tracked down and arrested a Bulgarian couple accused of taking pregnant women to Greece in order to sell their babies there, Bulgarian prosecutors said on Wednesday.
The Bulgarians were detained in the town of Neunkirchen in western Germany last week on a European arrest warrant after being indicted in February for "participation in an organised crime group for trade in newborn babies on the territory of Greece", prosecutors said in a statement.
The couple's son, who was also indicted on the same count, is already under arrest in Bulgaria.
The three were accused of recruiting pregnant women from across Bulgaria to travel to neighbouring Greece to give birth and sell their newborn babies to intermediaries there for between 5,000 and 7,000 leva (2,500-3,500 Euros, $3,000-4,300).
Prosecutors say that the group has been active since 2015 and that so far at least nine cases of poor women who sold their babies through the ring have been established.
The Greek partners of the gang are suspected to be part of an international baby trafficking network, it added.
Bulgaria is still awaiting the extradition of the couple but if found guilty they risk jail sentences of between five and 15 years.
Cases of "baby selling" have been particularly prevalent among Bulgaria's poor Roma minority in recent years.
Greece became a common destination for the practice because previous stringent conditions for adoption encouraged many parents to seek out illegal alternatives instead.
Although the waiting time for an adoption in Greece was reduced by a 2018 law, the illegal networks nevertheless persist, with mothers usually getting a fraction of the proceeds and the bigger chunk being pocketed by the traffickers.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From World
-
Bus plunges off S.Africa bridge killing 45: ministry
1 hour ago -
S.Africa's ex-president Zuma barred from May election
2 hours ago -
Tax the rich: slow progress on the international front
2 hours ago -
Bus plunges off S.Africa bridge killing 45: ministry
2 hours ago -
Russia sentences journalist to 2 years in prison, detains others
2 hours ago -
France asks for foreign help for Olympics security: officials
3 hours ago
-
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
3 hours ago -
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
3 hours ago -
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
3 hours ago -
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
3 hours ago -
Russia says 'evidence' links Ukraine to Moscow attack
3 hours ago -
Russian shelling kills three in Ukraine, officials say
3 hours ago