Alleged human trafficking ring seized in Moscow

A Moscow court has sanctioned the arrest of 8 people suspected of taking part in a human trafficking ring. They allegedly smuggled people from South-East Asian and CIS countries.

Charges have been brought against the alleged leader of a group accused of stealing Russian passports and using them to transport people to the West through a network of tourist agencies. The man is a senior officer of the Russian military forces.

One of those arrested is a Moldovan citizen.

The arrests follow a joint operation between the Russian Federal Security Service, Interpol and law-enforcement agencies from Italy and Finland.