A 45-year-old Hungarian woman has been sentenced to 12 months in prison by the court in Feldkirch, Austria, for running an illegal brothel and keeping a woman locked up. Eight months of the sentence were suspended, so she will only go to jail for four months unless she breaks the law again. The case is now closed and the verdict is final.
Woman tricked into working in Austria
The woman placed online ads in Hungary, looking for women who would come to Austria to work as prostitutes. She promised free housing in Feldkirch and the tools needed for work, in exchange for half of the women’s earnings. One woman, who knew the accused, accepted the offer and traveled to Austria.
However, when she arrived, things were not as promised. There were no supplies, and after a few days, the woman said she wanted to return to Hungary. Instead of letting her go, the accused locked her in the apartment. The victim called for help from the balcony, and people outside heard her. Emergency services came and rescued her through the balcony. The accused was arrested soon after.
In court, the woman said she didn’t lock anyone up. She claimed that the plan was for her friend to work in a club in nearby Switzerland, but that didn’t happen. She said she offered the woman a place to stay and that the woman had a key to the apartment. She also said the rescue wasn’t needed.
The judge believed the victim’s version of the story and found the accused guilty of cross-border prostitution and unlawful imprisonment. This case has raised concerns about human trafficking in Austria’s border areas. Police have asked people to report anything suspicious.
Illegal brothels and trafficking in Austria
This case is not unique. Austrian police have been working for years to fight illegal brothels, many of which are run by people from Eastern Europe. Women from countries like Romania and Hungary are often recruited with false promises and brought to Austria to work in poor and dangerous conditions.
In many of these cases, the women are told they will earn good money and be treated well, but instead, they are controlled, underpaid, and sometimes even trapped. Authorities say that organized groups are often behind these operations, using online ads and word-of-mouth to find women in vulnerable situations.
The Austrian government continues to investigate such crimes and is urging anyone with information to come forward. Victims of human trafficking are encouraged to seek help, and support services are available for those affected.
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