Two live-in partners aged 18 and 21 were arrested on suspicion that they trafficked in children for sexual exploitation. According to the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Crime and Special Cases, the culprits in the course of 2017 recruited a number of persons, including three girls aged 15 and 16. The girls were accommodated at apartments rented by the partners in Chisinau.

After being phoned by clients following announcements placed on advertising websites, the girls were transported to different places in Chisinau to provide sexual services. The traffickers kept 50% of the ill-gotten gains.

The man and the woman, who are from Criuleni and Nisporeni districts, were arrested for 72 hours, but will be placed on remand following court decisions. They face 15 to 20 years in jail.