The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of the Tuzla Canton proposed one-month custody for Saban Salcinovic (49), Halil Salihovic (43), Beris Dzinic (42), Ibro Dzinic (44), Almir Muharemovic (49) and Jasmin Mujakic (45), on suspicion of that the group led by Salcinovic conducted human trafficking and exploitation of children forcing them to beg in the streets, Fena news agency reported.

They are suspected of forcing many children between the ages of four and 14 into begging in the organized crime group between 2017 and the end of 2020, using their mental deficiency, helplessness and inability to resist, the Cantonal Prosecutor's Office of Tuzla Canton said.

According to the Prosecution, the children would be woken up in the early morning, regardless of the weather, transported to various locations in over 25 places in Tuzla Canton or other parts of BiH, supervising them during the begging, and children had to hand over amounts of money to members or group organizers ranging from 40 Bosnian Marks (some €20) to 150 marks (some €70) daily. In doing so, the children were exposed to all weather conditions, inadequately dressed and clothed, hungry and constantly under the threat of the use of physical force, or they were beaten and insulted.

After several months of investigation by the Criminal Police Sector of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor's Office, the suspects were apprehended, criminally processed and handed over to the Prosecutor's Office.

US Embassy to Bosnia also welcomed the news saying it is the biggest operation of this kind in the history of the country.

Congratulations to the #Tuzla Canton Prosecutor’s Office and Police for successfully conducting the largest #antitrafficking raid in #BiH history, rescuing ten children – victims of forced begging. This is an important step in combating trafficking in BiH.

— US Embassy Sarajevo (@USEmbassySJJ) February 19, 2021