Podgorica, (MINA) – Since the beginning of the year, 17 criminal charges have been filed against 19 individuals in Montenegro for human trafficking, while 30 victims have been identified, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) has stated.

The Ministry stated that they are implementing a series of activities to mark October 18 – the European Day against Human Trafficking, in order to raise awareness of human trafficking as a form of modern slavery, which knows no borders and deprives people around the world of their freedom and basic rights for the purpose of their exploitation.

“The most prevalent forms of exploitation remain forced labor and begging, while cases of sexual exploitation and illegal marriage have also been recorded”, the MUP stated in a press release.