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Forced Begging in Austria - Human Trafficking?
Colonel Gerald TATZGERN
Criminal Intelligence Service AUSTRIA
Central Service Combating Human Smuggling
and Human trafficking
+43 1 24836 85383 (24/7)
[email protected]
1090 Vienna, Josef Holaubek Platz 1
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Situation in Austria
• Austria: affected as a country of transit and destination
• Phenomena of Human Trafficking in Austria: sexual exploitation, slave-like conditions of domestic workers and forced begging
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Crime Statistics of Human Trafficking 2013
Reported cases: 133
Investigated criminal suspects: 107
Victims: 73 • 14 – 18 years: 4
• 18 – 21 years: 14
• 21 – 25 years: 26
• 25 – 40 years: 25
• 40 years and older: 4
Most of the victims come from Bulgaria and Romania
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Information Gathering
Sources
Database
(Analyse)
„Victims“
Reports Crises Centers Liaison Officers
Consulates
Investigations CIS – Central Intelligence Service
Public
Investigation team ARGES
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Conclusion
Begging can be divided into three parts
• Self-directed poverty begging
• Organized begging
• Human Trafficking – exploitation of begging
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Forced Begging
Begging-allowed
Forbidden:
»Aggressive
»Minors
»Organized
different regulations through local laws
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Established beggars 2013
~ 1.100 identified
(mainly Romanian Nationalities, Roma
Minority)
Temporary fluctuation
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Ways of Begging (Modi operandi)
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Selling of newspapers
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disabled beggars
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Keep free parking at Shopping Centres
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Musicians
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Donation Lists
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Minors
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Crime ?
Disabled Beggars
Recruited in Romania
Transported to Austria
Accommodated and under control in rented flats
Transportation to their places
Collecting from their places
Take away of the money
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RO-AUT-Investigation
Operational activities
• Wire tapping
• Surveillances
• Controls (Houses, Public transportation/places)
• Identity checks
• International meetings
Prosecutor
• Reports
• International Cooperation (judicial assistance)
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INTERNATIONAL and NATIONAL
Police activity
August 2010
Romania- district Dimbovita and Arges
Austria- Vienna (Ottakring)
– 10 Arrests
– 8 House searchers
– Seizures
– Interrogations
– 200 identity checks
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Begging in Vienna - findings
period: 01.07.2013 to 31.12.2013
Victim identification: 1 Victim
33 years disabled man,
secure apartment /assisted accommodation
Suspected person: 13 suspects (m/f)
activities: 3 arrests + 10 suspects reported
(May 2014)
Human Trafficking – exploitation of begging
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“Safe houses”
1100 Wien,
Alxingergasse
1200 Wien, Kluckygasse
Seit 01.06.2013 aufgel.
1060 Wien,
Gumpendorfer Str.
Seit März 2013 aufgelassen
1170 Wien,
Schumanngasse
Seit 23.02.2014 aufgelassen
1220 Wien,
Erzherzog Karl Straße
1220 Wien,
Erzherzog Karl Straße
1200 Wien,
Brigittenauer Lände
1100 Wien,
Alxingergasse
Seit 22.01.2014 aufgelassen
1100 Wien,
Gellertgasse
1110 Wien,
Mautner Markhofgasse
Seit 22.03.2014 aufgelassen
1200 Wien,
Wolfsaugasse 1160 Wien,
Hasnerstraße
1030 Wien,
Hohlweggasse
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Apartments (Victims)
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“Victims”
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“Victims”
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“Perpretators”
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Questions – discussion
• Is there any regulation concerning
begging and what is the distinguish
from THB?
• Do you have a knowledge on
organization groups (hierarchy and
different roles to play by traffickers?
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Contact Colonel Gerald TATZGERN B.A. M.A.
Police THB - HOTLINE
+43 1 24836 85383
E-Mail: [email protected]