[size=55:pzmbhdn6]novinite

Bulgaria, Greece Bust Large Child Trafficking Network

9 Bulgarian nationals of Roma origin have been arrested in Greece and 5 more in Bulgaria in a joint operation by the police forces of the two neighbours directed against an organized network that trafficked and sold newborn kids.

The operation targets what is suspected to be one of the biggest networks for the selling of children in Greece, which is reported to operate in Athens, Lamia and Seres.

The Bulgarian Roma arrested have been travelling back and forth to Greece for 10 years now. In Greece, doctors and notaries have also been detained. The operation in Bulgaria took place in the northern Black Sea city of Varna.

The police op has been prepared over the last six months. 14 cases have been ascertained in which women, predominantly of Roma origin, have been solicited and convinced to sell their newborn babies to childless families.

Baby-girls were sold for EUR 18-20,000, while male children were exchanged for some EUR 25,000.

In almost all of the cases, the mothers agreed voluntarily to do so, for which they had to travel to Greece to give birth, after which to agree to leave their child for adoption.

In most of the cases the mothers did not receive the full arranged price for the transaction, the rest going to the inter mediators.

The participants in the networks can get up to 15 years in jail and fines of EUR 50,000. Mothers who sold their children appear not to be criminally liable, as they have cooperated with the police.

Police bust gang trafficking pregnant women to Greece

byThe Sofia Echo staff

Police have smashed a criminal ring which trafficked pregnant women to Greece, arresting 14 people so far, Bulgarian National Television reported on January 25 2011.

The pregnant women, mostly Roma, would be transported across the border, and then driven to the Greek city of Lamia, where they would give birth and sell their babies, the report said, quoting Varna municipal prosecutor Vladimir Chavdarov.

The action was carried out by the police and units of the Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (CDCOC).

Most of the pregnant women were from Kamenar, Shoumen, Bourgas, Yambol, Stara Zagora and surrounding rural villages, authorities said. A baby boy would be sold in Greece for about 25 000 euro, while girls would be priced between 18 000 and 20 000 euro.

Only one baby has been recovered so far, and will be repatriated to Bulgaria. The others are being sought.

In 2009 it was reported by the National Anti-Trafficking Commission that Bulgarian children were the largest number of all child victims of human trafficking in Greece.

In 2008, there were seven cases of trafficking of Bulgarian babies, most of whom were destined for Greece

According to the authorities, the price for a baby boy at the time was 18 000 euro and for a baby girl between 13 000 and 14 000 euro. Usually the money would be paid in two transactions, but in most cases the mother - usually of Roma origin - got no more than 3000 euro

Two people charged with baby trafficking to Greece

byThe Sofia Echo staff

Two people have been charged with trafficking babies into Greece and could be facing lengthy prison sentences if convicted, the private television channel bTV reported on January 26 2011.

Police smashed the criminal ring trafficking pregnant women, mostly Roma to Greece, arresting a total of 14 people so far, on January 25. The media has described it as a massive police operation, "
dismantling one of the biggest criminal networks trading babies between Greece and Bulgaria, in which only one baby was recovered, 14 were arrested and two have been charged,"
Varna district prosecutor Vladimir Chavdarov said.

The two accused, whose names remain undisclosed, have been charged on two counts - the first, running and leading an organised criminal group and the second, trafficking pregnant women. If convicted on the first count, they will face between five and 15 years behind bars. On the second, they could face between one and six years, the report said.

Roma mothers "
are the victims here and are not responsible for what has happened,"
the district prosecutor said.

According to the Greek daily Kathimerini, of the suspects, seven were arrested in Greece. Some of those arrested are lawyers, doctors and notaries. A Bulgarian national is believed to be the mastermind behind the operation in Lamia, a man who has been living for the past 18 months in the city. Another key suspect is a female lawyer who practises in Athens but is of Bulgarian origin.

The pregnant women would be transported across the border, and then driven to the Greek city of Lamia, where they would give birth and sell their babies.

The action was carried out by police and units of the Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (CDCOC).

Most of the pregnant women hailed from Kamenar, Shoumen, Bourgas, Yambol, Stara Zagora and surrounding rural villages, authorities said. A baby boy would be sold in Greece for about 25 000 euro, while girls would be priced between 18 000 and 20 000 euro.

Only one baby has been recovered so far and will be repatriated to Bulgaria. The others are being sought.

Not being funny George but both your last 2 posts are the same thing and I don't see the point in repeating it

sallyann wrote:

Not being funny George but both your last 2 posts are the same thing and I don't see the point in repeating it

They're both from the Sofia Echo, sallyann, so they must consider they have differences?

If you watch both the Sofia echo and Novinite you will see that they both repeat themselves when they have nothing to print

sallyann wrote:

If you watch both the Sofia echo and Novinite you will see that they both repeat themselves when they have nothing to print

Occupational hazard in Bulgaria and not only with the newspapers