Azernews.Az

69 crimes related to human trafficking were registered in Azerbaijan in 2011, head of the Interior Ministry’s anti-trafficking unit, Javad Shikhaliyev, told local news agency Trend.

29 trafficking victims were identified, 5 organized groups of traffickers neutralized and 20 people prosecuted over related crimes last year, Shikhaliyev said.

The most trafficking victims were taken to Turkey, while less to Russia, UAE and Iran. The majority of them are women aged 20-38.

There were three cases of illegal exploitation of labor in 2011. The victims were taken to Russia.

Shikhaliyev pointed out that no facts of child labor were reported in 2011.

Two instances of illegal organ transplants were revealed in 2011. Two Azerbaijani citizens were taken to Sri Lanka. Investigation into the case is underway.

Shikhaliyev stressed that Azerbaijan is not a destination country for human trafficking victims, saying such instances were not revealed in Azerbaijan in 2011.

The Interior Ministry revealed 43 cases related to prostitution and 53 instances related to the maintenance of brothels in 2011. 112 women who voluntarily engaged in prostitution were detained.

One-time assistance worth 200 manats (over $250) defined by the government was granted to 29 victims of trafficking and 21 people received assistance from an Interior Ministry fund.