News

In Transbaikalian Territory, six local residents detained on suspicion of organizing and involving minors in prostitution

The Transbaikalian Territory Office of the Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings against 6 residents of the town of Chita. They are suspected of crimes under Part 2, item “c” of Article 241 of the RF Penal Code (organization or prostitution involving minors) and under Part 3 of Article 240 (involving of minors in prostitution committed by an organized group).

According to investigators, the suspects organized prostitution, including with involvement of underage girls, in the town of Chita for several years. It has been established that the group acted since 2004 and according to preliminary data alone involved in prostitution at least 20 girls, at least 5 of them were underage, one of whom wasn’t even 14. The girls for fee provided sexual services in rented flats, hotels, saunas and other entertainment facilities in Chita. The group has clear division of duties, constant drivers and guards.

The investigators and police officers have today searched through the flats of the suspects. All the suspects are kept in detention and the investigators are preparing documents to ask a court to remand them in custody pending trial. Other accomplices are being searched for. The investigation in the activity of the criminal group of pimps was run by the officials of the inter-district organized crime division of the Transbaikalian Territory Directorate of the Russian Ministry of the Interior.

At present investigative operations are underway to find out all the details of the crime. The probe has been assigned to the investigators of the second major department of the territorial directorate. If convicted, the suspects face up to 8 years in prison.