Florin Salam questioned as witness at DIICOT in "The Buddhist" club case in Bucharest
Manele singer Florin Salam was questioned on Friday at DIICOT as a witness in the case of a Bucharest club used as a front for human trafficking.
Florin Salam summoned to DIICOT in case of nightclub in Sector 5
Florin Salam presented himself on Friday at DIICOT headquarters, where he was questioned in the capacity of a witness, according to Google News RO — Crime (ro). The case in question, opened in February, concerns a group accused of using the nightclub "The Buddhist" in Bucharest as a front for human trafficking and procuring.
Prosecutors called the artist to provide relevant information regarding the aspects being investigated, according to Antena 3. Last week, in the same case, singer Andrei Velcu, known by the stage name Tzancă Uraganu, was also questioned as a witness.
Organised group since 2018, profits exceeding 19 million lei
In February, an operation by DIICOT prosecutors at "The Buddhist" club uncovered a network run by the venue's owner, who is alleged to have obtained over 19 million lei from the exploitation of young women. From the evidence gathered, it emerged that, beginning in 2018, four suspects formed an organised crime group in Bucharest, to which other members subsequently joined.
The girls were recruited online through job adverts for dancers, but in reality were forced to engage in prostitution within the nightclub in Sector 5. The group targeted generally young people with poor educational backgrounds, lacking family support and with limited financial means, some of them diagnosed with mental health disorders.
To exercise strict control over the victims, members of the network established a system of keeping records of clients and amounts collected, which also included sanctions for victims who failed to meet their imposed targets.
Known names involved in the case
Among the people mentioned in the case is actor Vlad Marinescu, known for his roles in productions such as "Tătușu", "Vlad", "Profu'", "No One Gets Out Alive", "Ana, You Were Written in My DNA" and the second season of the series "Groapa", currently in development.
The "Buddhist" club has accumulated numerous controversies over the years. At one point, the former interim mayor of Sector 5, Dan Croitoru, publicly stated that the venue had been registered at the local council as an NGO, although it operated as a nightclub, and authorities announced checks in this regard.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)