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Altai court sentences gang that forced girls into prostitution

The gang operated in the town of Zarinsk under the cover-up of the local police chief, the regional department of the Investigative Committee told

BARNAUL, September 21 (Itar-Tass) — An Altai Territory court sentenced members of a gang that had abducted girls for a prostitution ring.

The gang operated in the town of Zarinsk under the cover-up of the local police chief, the regional department of the Investigative Committee told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

The investigators and the court ascertained that 23 young women had suffered by actions of eight gang members. The women were all involved in prostitution. Some of them agreed voluntarily, but many were kidnapped and sold as sex slaves, the court said.

"The Zarinsk police chief provided security for the group and protected its activity from interference of law-enforcement bodies," the SK underlined.

The trial lasted 18 months. Two gang leaders were sentenced to 10 and 12 years, other members were sentenced to 6 to 9 years. The local police chief got a four-year suspended sentence.

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