Polish-Syrian couple accused of illegal transport of migrants
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
02.02.2016 17:55
A married Polish-Syrian couple based in the southern Polish city of Kraków stands accused of leading a 'criminal gang' that has allegedly been transporting migrants to various European destinations.
Polish border guards search a vehicle. Photo: strazgraniczna.pl
The Katowice Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against 12 people in total at the District Court in Gliwice.
The couple allegedly took fees of between EUR 500 and EUR 700 per person, while drivers were paid a smaller fee.
Border guards from various countries apparently joined forces to foil the group.
According to the prosecutor's office, the group transported at least 97 people, principally from Syria and Iraq.
However, Prosecutor Leszek Goławski claims that this is “just the tip of the iceberg.”
The operation allegedly began in June 2014, over a year before German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced in August 2015 that Syrian asylum-seekers would be welcome in Germany.
It is understood that of the two main suspects, the husband is Syrian-born, while his wife is Polish. (nh/pk)
Source: dziennikzachodni.pl