Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 2 / Trend K. Zarbaliyeva /
Some 85 cases of human trafficking have been uncovered in Azerbaijan this year. Two organized groups and six criminal groups have been neutralized, Azerbaijani deputy interior minister, National Coordinator for Combating Human Trafficking Vilayat Eyvazov said today in a report on efforts to combat human trafficking in Azerbaijan.
Eyvazov said that around 20 people were arrested and ten sentenced to imprisonment from five to ten years.
Three traffickers were found through Interpol and transferred to investigating bodies. Around 22 more suspected traffickers are being sought.
It was revealed that 19 of 53 trafficking victims were taken to Turkey, 12 to Iran, 2 to the UAE, and 14 to Russia. Six people were sentenced on human trafficking in the country.
Each trafficking victims was placed in a special shelters and provided with necessary assistance. Some 35 people were provided with a one-time grant and 18 received relevant benefits of the Assistance Fund.
Around 115 public morality crimes were resolved and 85 people were sentenced, the National Coordinator said.
Up to 450 women have been charged with morality crimes. Their status as trafficking victims has not been confirmed.
Around 267 people were identified during the raids. Some 89 trafficking victims were sent to the Assistance Center, the ministries of justice, education and health care, while others were sent to non-governmental organizations. Some 67 potential victims were provided with medical, 151 with legal, 112 with psychological assistance, and 50 were employed.