At the end of November 2023 Latvian State Police apprehended three people suspected of involving two foreign citizens in forced labour in some restaurant in Riga.
Information acquired during the investigation shows that two people were victims in this crime. Their personal identification documents were taken away and they were psychologically influenced and forced to work at the restaurant long hours without pay.
Police have commenced criminal procedures over this situation. The investigation continues.
Two suspects are now under arrest, State Police report.
Police in Latvia previously received information about criminal activities at some Indian restaurant in Riga. This information indicated that over the course of six months since June, two Indian citizens had been illegally employed at the restaurant. It is possible these two people suffered from human trafficking. In response to this information, State Police Organised Crime Prevention Department commenced an investigation.
On the 19th of October the State Police and the State Labour Inspectorate performed an inspection at the restaurant in question. This is when the two victims were found. On the 27th of November three people were detained by the police under suspicion on human trafficking – two women (Latvian citizens) and one man (Indian citizen). None of them had any past criminal record.
Information acquired by the police indicates that the victims had their passports taken away. The suspects used psychological influence to force the victims to work as chefs 12 hours a day without any pay. The victims also slept in the restaurant. In cases were victims requested their documents back, the suspects used psychological influence over them to convince them that they would not find work anywhere else and threatened to return them to India.
Police have commenced a criminal procedure in accordance with Part 2 of Section 154.1 of the Criminal Law – human trafficking committed in a group following a prior agreement. This crime is punishable with deprivation of freedom for three to 12 years with or without confiscation of property.
The victims were delivered to non-government institutions, where they will be provided with the necessary aid.
Also read: Estonia completes another 40 kilometres of fence along the Russian border
Follow us on Facebook and X!