Gang using dozens of Syrian children as slaves busted in Turkey
KAHRAMANMARAŞ
DHA photo
A gang allegedly using Syrian children as slaves has been caught in a simultaneous operation by the police in the southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş, where some 282 children worked 12 hours a day for five Turkish Liras daily as paper collectors, reported Doğan News Agency on May 31.The police launched the operation after the number of Syrian children with carts collecting paper increased in the city center. Four raids were carried out on different depots, where the paper collected by the children was gathered.
The unlicensed depots were also used as dormitories, according to the investigations.
The children, who were aged between 9 and 14, were handed over to their families and 85 carts used by them in the depots were seized. The carts were loaded on to trucks and sent for destruction.
The depots were sealed by the police and the owners, Ümit Ç., Fetih Haci A. and Abdülmünem F., were fined.
Administrative action was launched against three people who produced the carts and sold them for 150 liras.
