Human traffickers sentenced in Kosovo

(BRUSSELS2) The Pristina court, made up of a mixed panel of Kosovar and European judges from EULEX, has delivered its verdict in the so-called Tisza River organized crime and human trafficking. The accused had organized the smuggling of illegal migrants between Kosovo, Serbia and Hungary. The story ended tragically on October 14, 2009, the barge carrying 18 people overturned while crossing the Tisza River and most (15) of the immigrants perished. Only a man and his two children had survived.

Seven people were tried: 2 of the defendants were recognized as traffic investigators and sentenced respectively to 17 and 19 years in prison, as well as 200.000 and 250.000 euros in fines. 4 other defendants were given sentences ranging from 2 years suspended to 8 years in prison. One defendant was found not guilty.