Berane and Bijelo Polje police officers, in coordination with officers of the Crime Prevention Sector (SBPK) - Department for Suppression of Criminal Offenses of Human Trafficking, Smuggling of People and Illegal Migration, prevented the trafficking of an underage girl and her removal from Montenegro for the purpose of entering into an illegal arranged marriage, the Police Directorate (UP) announced today.
The security institution said that MI, the father of the underage girl, was arrested on suspicion of arranging a marriage for his daughter for 9.000 euros.
The statement added that Berane police officers checked a "VW Sharan" vehicle, driven by MI (41) from Berane, with his 15-year-old minor daughter in the vehicle, who was visibly agitated.
"On that occasion, during a search of the vehicle, powers of attorney - consents for travel abroad from both parents of the minor, the minor's passport and ID card, money in the amount of 1.870 euros, clothing and personal belongings, as well as traditional Roma costumes for young people were found and seized," the statement reads.
The UP added that there was a reasonable suspicion that MI had previously arranged a marriage for his underage daughter for 9.000 euros, after which, at the agreed time, he was supposed to take her to the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and hand her over to his future father-in-law from Germany, who would take her to Germany for the purpose of marrying his son.
"The injured minor was taken to a safe place at the initiative of police officers in cooperation with officers from the Center for Social Work. The prosecutor at the Higher State Prosecutor's Office in Bijelo Polje was informed of the incident, and on his order, IM was deprived of his liberty with a criminal complaint on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of human trafficking, to the detriment of his minor daughter," the statement reads.
The Police Department said that the Criminal Code of Montenegro prescribes a prison sentence of at least three to 15 years for the criminal offense of human trafficking, bearing in mind that harm caused to a minor represents a more serious form of this criminal offense.
"The appointee will be taken to the prosecutor's office today for further jurisdiction and action," the UP said.
Bonus video:
