Canada extradites 20 Hungarians convicted in human trafficking case
Canada has announced the extradition of 20 Hungarians convicted in what authorities described as the largest human trafficking case in Canadian history, for forcing eastern European refugee claimants into slavery.
Canada has announced the extradition of 20 Hungarians convicted in what authorities described as the largest human trafficking case in Canadian history, for forcing eastern European refugee claimants into slavery.
Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney made the announcement on Tuesday in Hamilton, Ontario where the criminal ring operated. The last of the 20 has been expelled in May.
"Victims of the Domotor-Kolompar extended family were recruited and/or transported from their native Hungary, with promises of a better life and work in the Hamilton area," a statement from Blaney's office said. "They were forced to work illegally, live in deplorable conditions without adequate food and were intimidated or attacked repeatedly."
Ferenc Domotor pleaded guilty in 2012 to running the gang, which lured men from his native Hungary and coerced them into forced labour at his stucco companies in Hamilton. Domotor and his extended Roma family reportedly forced at least 19 people to claim refugee status when they arrived in Canada from the town of Papa in Hungary, work without pay sometimes as much as 17 hours per day and sleep on mattresses in a locked basement of his house. The victims were fed only one meal a day.
The scheme was uncovered when Canadian police were tipped off by a contractor who was approached by one of the victims.
