Escaped Victims of Trafficking from Abkhazia

Escaped Victims of Trafficking from Abkhazia

Four persons have applied to Georgian law enforcement officials during the last month and a half claiming that they have been engaged in slavery work in Abkhazia. According to one of the trafficking victims, an Abkhaz businessman (of Abkhaz nationality) promised him and his 15 friends a salary of USD$1000 as well as Russian nationality and accommodation in Sokhumi for their work in repairing the “Armenia” hotel. After completing the work, however, they were given only 800 Russian rubles. The protest of the workers was followed by a beating, no Russian passports or accommodation and they were forced to return the money which had been paid to them. 
According to the Abkhaz Security Service (Georgian Security Service), this is the fifth case of trafficking in Abkhazia this year. Previously Turkish and Armenian citizens have escaped from trafficking attempts in Abkhazia during this year.