Defendants, two brothers from Eastern Europe, enticed dozens of low-income compatriots to work in Portugal in the agricultural sector. Two sole proprietorships accused.
Following an investigation carried out by the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF), the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action of Évora brought charges against two foreign citizens and two sole proprietorships for strong evidence of trafficking in persons crimes., aid association illegal immigration, aid to illegal immigration and forgery of documents. The Public Ministry proposed, yet, the application of the accessory penalty of expulsion from national territory.
Defendants, two brothers from Eastern Europe, enticed dozens of low-income compatriots to work in Portugal in the agricultural sector. They sought transport to various locations in Baixo Alentejo and, once there, led us to accommodation places with precarious and overcrowded living conditions.
Having contracted the provision of work with the owners of the estates, angariavam, controlled and exploited foreigners, aiming to obtain high financial profits with this activity, despite workers' rights.
As a rule, they did not enter into employment contracts and placed the victims to perform agricultural functions., keeping them to live in inhuman conditions. They were deducted from the agreed salary for the payment of the rent of the houses where they spent the night., transport to workplaces, as well as food expenses, Water, light and gas.
On the other hand, they were not paid overtime, holiday and christmas allowances, nor did they recognize the right to take paid vacation.
In countless cases, before the workers' protest, these were threatened by the defendants, physically attacked and expelled from their homes, having been left without accommodation and without food.
Trial in Beja
The Usurelu couple, Romanian citizenship, was charged by the Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DIAP) of Évora of 13 trafficking in persons and crimes 9 crimes of aid to illegal emigration. A Angy San, Lda, company controlled by the defendants, is also accused of the same crimes.
Last conviction in December 2020
In December 2020 six individuals, aged between 27 and 49 year old, Romanian and Moldovan nationals were sentenced to prison terms, although some were suspended in its execution, for a crime of aid to illegal immigration, in material co-authorship.
