A married couple from Chisinau, that trafficked seven young girls for commercial sexual exploitation, including two minors, was sentenced to prison. Between 2016-2017, the defendants carried out their illegal activity in several apartments in the capital, the clients being informed on an advertisement portal.

Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Causes states in a press release, quoted by IPN, that for sexual services there was a charge of 700 lei per hour, of which the victims received half. Some girls have been lured by the promise that they will pay less for rent, while others - by the recommendation of those already involved in sexual exploitation. Once housed in the apartment, they could not go out for long or too far away, which would have allowed them to call for help.

After one of the victims managed to file a complaint with the police, a criminal case was initiated. As a result, the Chisinau Court sentenced the husband, aged 43, to 20 years of prison, for trafficking in human beings and children.

His wife, 34, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for child trafficking. She will be also tried for trafficking in human beings.