The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office is prosecuting 28 people for suspected human trafficking and exploitation of prostitution.
A widespread police investigation culminated in numerous arrests in September 2023. The suspects are now scheduled to go on trial in October.
Three men are suspected of involving young Nigerian women, many of them undocumented, in bars and brothels in Brussels' North Station district. In addition, tenants of the venues are accused of unlawful financial gain through exorbitantly subletting the locations to the sex workers.
In late September, police carried out searches at 56 addresses across Brussels, Antwerp, East Flanders and Liège, including residential addresses of the accused. 30 establishments were visited, sealed and subsequently legally closed. At two locations, they confiscated 15,000 and 6,500 euros.
The searches led to the judicial arrests of 25 individuals, of whom eight were issued with an arrest warrant by the examining judge.
They have been charged with human trafficking for exploitation of prostitution or other forms of sexual exploitation, aiding and abetting prostitution, and money laundering.
Ultimately, 28 individuals have been forwarded to the correctional court. The case opened today and will be tried on the 11th and 18th of October.
