Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BERLIN3567
2006-12-21 16:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
BERLIN POLICE RAIDS TARGET SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING
how-toVZCZCXRO1594 PP RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHLZ DE RUEHRL #3567 3551651 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 211651Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6503 INFO RUCNFRG/FRG COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BERLIN 003567
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, EUR/PGI, G/TIP, DRL/IL, INL/HSTC, AND PRM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN KJUS SMIG ELAB PREL PGOV GM
SUBJECT: BERLIN POLICE RAIDS TARGET SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING
ORGANIZATIONS
UNCLAS BERLIN 003567
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, EUR/PGI, G/TIP, DRL/IL, INL/HSTC, AND PRM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN KJUS SMIG ELAB PREL PGOV GM
SUBJECT: BERLIN POLICE RAIDS TARGET SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING
ORGANIZATIONS
1. (U) On December 20, the Berlin Criminal Investigation
Service's (LKA) office for combating trafficking raided
eighteen locations in Berlin and executed eight arrest
warrants. According to a press release issued by the Berlin
LKA, police and Berlin prosecutors had been conducting
investigations since 2005 against several different
cooperating crime groups allegedly involved in severe
trafficking, illegal pimping, kidnapping, personal injury,
document forgery, and alien smuggling. The police found that
at least twelve persons were involved in smuggling women from
Eastern European countries into Germany with forged passports
and forcing them into prostitution. Police allege three
brothels in Berlin and five Internet agencies forced the
women to prostitute themselves or used threats to prevent
them from leaving.
2. (SBU) Police and prosecutors announced they will continue
to question witnesses and evaluate evidence seized in the
raids. According to the LKA's press officer, police
investigators will conduct standard checks to determine
whether illegal migrants identified in the raids are TIP
victims. If so, police will work with NGOs and local
authorities to ensure victims receive necessary counseling
and social services and take steps to permit victims to
remain in Germany as victim witnesses. Since the
investigations are still ongoing, the LKA officer could not
say whether and how many trafficking victims were found
during the raids. It is unclear at this time when the
suspects will be indicted.
3. (SBU) According to Heike Rudat, who heads the Berlin LKA's
anti-trafficking office, the LKA's success in combating TIP
is due primarily to the existence of a specialized office
dedicated solely to TIP investigations. The office closely
monitors the activities of brothels and Internet agencies in
Berlin.
KOENIG
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/AGS, EUR/PGI, G/TIP, DRL/IL, INL/HSTC, AND PRM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN KJUS SMIG ELAB PREL PGOV GM
SUBJECT: BERLIN POLICE RAIDS TARGET SUSPECTED TRAFFICKING
ORGANIZATIONS
1. (U) On December 20, the Berlin Criminal Investigation
Service's (LKA) office for combating trafficking raided
eighteen locations in Berlin and executed eight arrest
warrants. According to a press release issued by the Berlin
LKA, police and Berlin prosecutors had been conducting
investigations since 2005 against several different
cooperating crime groups allegedly involved in severe
trafficking, illegal pimping, kidnapping, personal injury,
document forgery, and alien smuggling. The police found that
at least twelve persons were involved in smuggling women from
Eastern European countries into Germany with forged passports
and forcing them into prostitution. Police allege three
brothels in Berlin and five Internet agencies forced the
women to prostitute themselves or used threats to prevent
them from leaving.
2. (SBU) Police and prosecutors announced they will continue
to question witnesses and evaluate evidence seized in the
raids. According to the LKA's press officer, police
investigators will conduct standard checks to determine
whether illegal migrants identified in the raids are TIP
victims. If so, police will work with NGOs and local
authorities to ensure victims receive necessary counseling
and social services and take steps to permit victims to
remain in Germany as victim witnesses. Since the
investigations are still ongoing, the LKA officer could not
say whether and how many trafficking victims were found
during the raids. It is unclear at this time when the
suspects will be indicted.
3. (SBU) According to Heike Rudat, who heads the Berlin LKA's
anti-trafficking office, the LKA's success in combating TIP
is due primarily to the existence of a specialized office
dedicated solely to TIP investigations. The office closely
monitors the activities of brothels and Internet agencies in
Berlin.
KOENIG