Police Break Up Gang Illegally Employing Serbians as Part of Operation Sava

Bratislava, 2 February (TASR) - The police have broke up a gang illegally employing Serbian nationals in Slovakia as part of an operation called Sava, with an investigator charging a 42-year-old Serbian woman with the crime of human trafficking, Diana Dudakova Janusikova of the Police Corps Presidium's communications and prevention department informed TASR on Monday, adding that the illicit gain was quantified at no less than €25,300. "According to current findings, the accused person, at least from January 2024 to January 2026, enabled at least eight Serbian nationals to stay illegally in Slovakia, and in other EU-member states. She did so with the aim of obtaining financial gain," said Dudakova Janusikova. The accused woman allegedly created fictitious conditions for obtaining and renewing temporary residence permits for the purpose of business or employment, arranged false documents, including sworn statements on providing accommodation, and accompanied foreigners to foreigners police departments. "After obtaining residence permits, the foreigners carried out activities different from the purpose of the granted permit," said Dudakova Janusikova. The woman collected financial payments from these individuals. The police have remanded her in custody due to concerns that she might abscond or go into hiding, as well as fears that she could continue her criminal activities. "If found guilty, the accused person faces a prison sentence of two to eight years," police added, noting that they're continuing to take the necessary procedural steps in the case. ko/df