People smuggling charges have been brought against 13 Hungarian and Romanian nationals who as members of an international organised ring were allegedly involved in arranging for the illegal transport of more than 350 foreign nationals to western Europe, the chief public prosecutor’s office said on Thursday. One instance claimed the life of an Indian national, it added.
Charges brought against members of human trafficking ring
According to the indictment, the ring led by a Romanian man arranged for the transport of foreigners first by plane to Serbia and smuggled them later on in vans through Hungary and Austria to final destinations in western Europe, the office said in a statement.
The fatality occurred in Aug 2022 in Budapest’s 9th district when the Indian man was one of the 20 illegal migrants jammed in a van that had no ventilation.
Most of the suspects are in custody over charges of people smuggling and torturing humans and face prison terms or a fine and expulsion from Hungary.
The Romanian ring leader is facing a legal procedure by the Romanian authorities, according to the statement.
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