BiH special police arrest three in major human trafficking raid across Sarajevo, Istocno Sarajevo, and Zavidovici

According to SIPA, the individuals are accused of recruiting and exploiting foreign nationals, including Turkish citizens and Bosnians, between May and September 2024. Victims reportedly included minors and people from vulnerable social groups, who were lured with false promises of legal employment, salaries, accommodation, and food.

Instead, the victims were subjected to forced labour on construction projects, including highway works and apartment complexes on Bjelasnica and Jahorina. Their passports were allegedly confiscated to ensure compliance, while profits from their unpaid labor were laundered through legitimate financial channels.

SIPA said the suspects are under investigation for human trafficking and money laundering, in violation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Searches were conducted under the order of the State Court and the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with police from Republika Srpska, Sarajevo Canton, and Zenica-Doboj Canton.

The investigation also involved Serbia’s Organized Crime Directorate (SBPOK), the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC), and NGO Vasa Prava BiH, with support from the EU-funded project EU4FAST aimed at combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Western Balkans.