A Moldovan woman was sentenced by the district court to seven years and three months imprisonment for the exploitation of ten nationals. The defendant has appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and is at liberty. However, she has a ban on leaving the country.
A General Prosecutor's Office press release said that in 2013, the woman recruited Moldovans to work in the Russian capital and promised them a high salary. Although the agreed workload was executed, the promised salaries were not provided. Most workers were paid ranging from 100 to 150 rubles per week, while in other cases, ranging from 300 to 1000 rubles per week. Without money, the workers could not return home, nor could they report the abuse to the Russian authorities as they were working without a permit. A couple, who brought their minor children with them, had to collect and sell scrap metal in order to buy food.
Prosecutors highlighted that the defendant, responsible for paying the salary, made frequent trips to Moldova, while her son bought a car. The managers of the company where the Moldovans were employed said that they provided funds to the woman for salaries. Prosecutors found that the defendant resorted to threats, while her concubine physically and psychologically assaulted the workers. One of the victims was threatened with the death of her daughter in Moldova.
The workers accused the woman of salary arrears ranging from 25 thousand to 250 thousand Russian rubles, depending on the duration and volume of work.
