Victims died before justice. Minsker charged in slave labor probe

August 20, Pozirk. Inspectors have completed a probe into a Minsk resident suspected of using slave labor, the Investigative Committee (IC) reported.

It said the suspect found people of an “asocial lifestyle,” forced them to beg for money and food and appropriated all the alms.

The Minsker allegedly met the two seniors who had no home or subsistence at railway stations. He reportedly promised to take them to the capital and give them work in the construction industry, a stable income and a roof over their heads. Instead, in Minsk, the man gave them “rented wheelchairs and posters asking for help.” The suspect “established strict rules: all so-called income must be given to the ‘owner.’”

It is also alleged that he took the victims’ passports and used threats and violence to force them to beg. “He forbade them to eat, drink, sleep, smoke and even relieve themselves without his permission,” the IC said.

“The victims did not live to see the day when their tormentor would face legal consequences: both died from their illnesses,” it said.

According to the report, the defendant made more than 60,000 rubels ($17,800) by exploiting the seniors.

Law enforcers’ meticulous and well-coordinated efforts enabled them to gather proof of the suspect’s involvement in the crime, even though he did not confess to it, the IC stated.

The man has been taken into custody.

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