The prostitution network in Lisbon was dismantled, with trafficking for sexual exploitation as its central core. The authorities identified this network as a criminal operation that sexually exploited women, mostly foreigners, in vulnerable situations.
Pedro Proença, a participant in the process, alerted in the NOW program about the complexity of obtaining witness testimony from the victims. According to Proença, it is particularly difficult to obtain statements from trafficking victims, given the fear and pressure they are subjected to, which hinders the construction of the judicial case.
The Public Prosecutor's Office conducted the investigation that revealed the scope of the network, with several women identified as victims of sexual exploitation. The authorities emphasized that trafficking for sexual exploitation constitutes the most serious element of this criminal operation.
The case is being closely monitored by the judicial authorities, who face the challenge of gathering sufficient evidence for the conviction of the suspects, in a context where victims frequently show reluctance to testify against their exploiters.
