Latest Human trafficking News

As the number of displaced people surges, an 'Inflatable Refugee' in Barcelona sparks questions

Jun. 14, 2024 10:46 AM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Hugging his knees and clad in a bright orange life vest, the giant “Inflatable Refugee” looks vulnerable as he sits alone in a sea of empty red velvet chairs. Belgian visual artists Schellekens & Peleman, who created the figure in 2015 following the refugee crisis...

Seven charged in smuggling migrants in sweltering secret compartment with little water

Jun. 07, 2024 19:06 PM EDT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) — Seven people in southern Texas have been charged after endangering nearly two dozen migrants smuggled in a secret trailer compartment during high temperatures and with little water, authorities said. One person remained hospitalized on Friday. Following a...

Andrew Tate loses appeal to relax judicial restrictions as he awaits human trafficking, rape trial

May. 30, 2024 21:42 PM EDT

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Andrew Tate, the divisive social media influencer awaiting trial in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape, lost an appeal Thursday to have the court relax geographical restrictions preventing him from traveling outside the eastern European country. ...

Video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016

May. 18, 2024 15:50 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Security video aired by CNN appears to show Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016, the latest in a monthslong series of public allegations and revelations of physical and sexual violence from the hip-hop mogul. The...

Notorious people smuggler wanted in Europe arrested in northern Iraq

May. 13, 2024 20:50 PM EDT

BAGHDAD (AP) — One of Europe's most notorious human smugglers was arrested Monday in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, security officials said. The regional government's security agency said it had arrested Barzan Majeed, known as “the Scorpion,” in the area...

Romanian court extends judicial measures against online influencer awaiting human trafficking trial

May. 10, 2024 13:18 PM EDT

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A court in Romania’s capital on Friday extended geographical restrictions against an online influencer who is awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The Bucharest Tribunal extended by...

Iowa sex trafficking victim who killed alleged abuser sought by authorities

May. 10, 2024 12:52 PM EDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa teenage sex-trafficking victim convicted of fatally stabbing a man whom she accused of abusing her has absconded from her probation, authorities said in court records. The Iowa Department of Corrections issued a nationwide warrant for the arrest of...

Wisconsin woman who argued she legally killed sex trafficker pleads guilty to homicide

May. 09, 2024 14:20 PM EDT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Milwaukee woman who argued she was legally allowed to a kill a man because he was sexually trafficking her pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced count of reckless homicide. Chrystul Kizer's decision means she'll avoid trial and a possible life sentence. It...

Italy bars NGO migrant rescue flights from Sicilian airport, says they interfere with coast guard

May. 08, 2024 10:57 AM EDT

ROME (AP) — Italy’s aviation authority has barred humanitarian migrant rescue groups from using a Sicilian airport to launch search and rescue flights over the Mediterranean, in the government’s latest move to regulate their activities. An ordinance from ENAC’s western...

Editorial Roundup: Ohio

May. 06, 2024 07:16 AM EDT

Toledo Blade. April 29, 2024. Editorial: Unions not the issue A little-noticed event at the White House last week should serve as an opening to the important question of whether private equity funds — known for leveraged buyouts — should be operating with money...