Human trafficking network busted in Cyprus

Cyprus police arrested five people, including three cops, following the unraveling of a human trafficking network that was forcing Eastern European women into prostitution.

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According to media reports, two migration police officers who worked at Larnaca International Airport were arrested, after it emerged that they were taking part in a human trafficking network.

Specifically, they are being accused of turning a blind eye during visa inspections at the airport, so that women trafficked by the network would gain entry into the Republic of Cyprus without raising suspisions or alerting authorities.

Another officer, who was reportedly assigned as one of the personal drivers for the attorney general, was also arrested, along with two other individuals, a male pub owner and a female foreign national.

Police got wind of the illegal network following tips, when they discovered a number of Eastern European women who were being pushed into having sex with clients.

Reports said the pub owner would force women into having sex with patrons while the cops in question would provide cover for the illegal operation.

Police Chief Zacharias Chrysostomou said the undoing of corrupt cells within the force has been in the works for some time, while praising uniformed men and women who were doing their job properly.

Anti-human trafficking efforts were praised recently by international agencies for being more effective in the battle against this form of modern slavery, while also calling on local authorities to be more vigilant and do more.

While prostitution is not illegal in the Republic of Cyprus, pimping and public soliciting for sex are offences punishable by law.