parsnip
10.12.05, 00:33
W Irlandii Pn zlapali wlasnie Polaka, ktory dowodzil gangiem ludzi
zmuszajacych innych Polakow do niewolniczej pracy. To pierwszy przypadek
takiego przestepstwa w Ulsterze. Troche wstyd.
link do zrodla: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=672159
First human trafficking case in Ulster
By Deborah McAleese
09 December 2005
The first person to be charged in Northern Ireland with importing and
exploiting illegal immigrants is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrate's
Court today.
The 22-year-old man, believed to be Polish, was last night charged with acting
as a gangmaster. He was also charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and
causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The charges are related to the alleged abduction and assault of another Polish
man in Co Antrim last week.
Two other 22-year-old men, also believed to be Polish, will also appear before
the court charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and grievous bodily harm
with intent.
The men were arrested after a man was forcibly taken from the Bridge Bar
outside the town of Dunloy at lunchtime on Sunday, December 4.
A short time later, after police received a report of a disturbance at
Linenhall Street in nearby Ballymoney, officers "rescued" the alleged victim.
The 22-year-old victim received a broken arm and several cuts during the
incident. He was then taken to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine to be
treated for his injuries.
Following the attack police arrested three Polish men at a house in nearby
Victoria Street in Ballymoney.
Interpreters were brought in to question the men about the abduction and assault.
On Tuesday, Inspector Noel Mitchell of Ballymoney PSNI said police have a car
in their possession which they believe was used by those involved in the
abduction.
He added that police did not believe the attack was sectarian or racially
motivated.
This is the first time anyone in Northern Ireland has been charged with acting
as a gang master.
Gang masters organise groups of itinerant workers for poorly paid and
hazardous jobs, often supplying poor accommodation, deducting wages and
charging for their services.
Last year the UK parliament introduced a new act to tackle gang master operations.
The problem came under scrutiny following the death of 21 Chinese cockle
pickers who drowned in Morecambe Bay in north-western England last February.
Three Chinese people were charged with manslaughter and related offences.
