The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether Babu A. (48) of Roermond is a link in a chain of human trafficking that runs from Hungary through Switzerland to the Netherlands.

The reason is the alleged prostitution of a just thirteen-year-old girl from Hungary in A.'s car company on the Schipperswal in Roermond. The prosecution confirmed this after questions from De Limburger.

Police and judicial authorities suspect A. and two Hungarian men, aged 49 and 51, of making a Hungarian girl work as a prostitute. The trio was arrested in Roermond on Dec. 8. All three have previously been in contact with the police. For what offenses is not clear.

Car company

A. came to the Netherlands in 1994 as a Tamil refugee via Switzerland. In that country, according to sources, he still has contacts. Two weeks ago, police found a Hungarian girl in A.'s car dealership on the Schipperswal in Roermond, who had just turned thirteen that day. With her were Hungarian men of 49 and 51 and a young, pregnant Hungarian woman.

The investigation team "assumes for the time being" that the girl was housed in the premises and had to receive clients there. The child came from a Hungarian youth home. It regularly happens that teenagers from the poor regions of Hungary end up in prostitution in our country via Switzerland.

Anonymous tip

According to Serge Weening, A.'s lawyer, nothing so far shows that the prosecution is investigating his client's link to Switzerland. "My client was arrested a day after an anonymous tip. In any case, there was no preliminary investigation." A. denies his involvement in human trafficking. He allegedly offered accommodation to the two Hungarians. His were waiting for another place to live in Roermond. According to counsel for the Hungarians, they too say they are innocent.

The court ruled Thursday that the three will remain in jail for at least another 30 days.

The defendant(s) in this case are assisted by: