Human trafficking in Israel and connection with Russia – details of the investigation

The Israel Police has completed a covert investigation into an international criminal network involved in human trafficking. The syndicate recruited women abroad under the pretext of legal work and forced them into prostitution in Israel. Two suspects have been arrested, and the prosecution is preparing an indictment.

The Israel Police has completed a large-scale covert investigation into an international criminal network specializing in human trafficking. The syndicate recruited women abroad and organized their illegal prostitution within the country. The operation was launched thanks to operational information transmitted from Russia through an official representative of the Israeli police. According to the investigation, the perpetrators targeted vulnerable women in other countries, persuaded them to come to Israel under various pretexts, and then forced them into prostitution, taking the lion's share of the illegal profits. As a result of operational measures, two key suspects were arrested: a 30-year-old resident of Be'er Sheva and a 40-year-old native of Eilat. On September 14, after the completion of evidence gathering, the State Prosecutor's Office submitted a declaration of intent to file an indictment to the court. The supervisory authority also intends to insist on the detention of both suspects until the end of the trial. The article also references a previous report by the State Comptroller that revealed shortcomings in the fight against human trafficking in Israel.