Pärnu court hears human trafficking case: police attempted to free victim four years ago
Pärnu District Court is hearing a case in which Peeter Kaartse and his three sons are accused of human trafficking. One of the victims was found by police as early as 2020, but the investigation was closed. The woman was later discovered as a victim of slavery.
Pärnu court hears human trafficking case: police attempted to free victim four years ago
An elderly woman went missing from her home in Pärnumaa in the autumn of 2020. Some time later, authorities discovered her in the town of Viljandi, where she was living in an industrial building that belonged to Peeter Kaartse. Already at that point, officials suspected that she was not there of her own free will. However, the woman did not confirm this herself, and for that reason the criminal proceedings were closed.
Years later, the same person was found again – this time as a victim of contemporary slavery. This week, Pärnu District Court began hearing a case in which Kaartse and his successors Kerdi, Kevin and Kaido must answer charges of human trafficking.
The case is being conducted by prosecutor Elle Keeman, who has already submitted an opening statement and written evidence to judge Tambet Grauberg. From these documents, it becomes clear how two people who had fallen on hard times became enslaved. It also emerges that rescue attempts began three years before the final discovery.
According to the evidence, the victims came into contact with employees of two different government bodies who had the ability and also the obligation to report the situation. They did not do so.
Source: Delfi
Source: Google News EE — Crime (et)