Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A 20-year-old Russian national has appeared in court facing human trafficking and labour-related exploitation charges.
The labour-related exploitation charges saw some of the recruits being thrown into the frontlines in the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Sofia Leonova is accused of allegedly recruiting Zimbabweans for fake truck driving jobs in Russia.
She appeared in court facing two counts of contravening the Trafficking in Persons Act and conducting an employment agency without registration.
The State alleges that between January and May this year, Leonova allegedly acted in connivance with five Russian accomplices.
They have been identified only as Victor, Marshy, Sam, Phillip and Michael and they are all still at large.
Prosecutors allege the group lured victims with promises of lucrative truck driving jobs and favourable working conditions in Russia.
It is alleged Leonova advertised the jobs on Facebook before meeting interested applicants in different parts of Harare where she allegedly recruited them through deception.
The court heard that she allegedly facilitated medical examinations, air tickets and visas for the victims and booked accommodation for them at a lodge in Eastlea, while they waited to travel.
According to the State, upon arrival in Russia, the victims were allegedly received by Leonova’s accomplices, who confiscated their travelling documents before forcing them into labour exploitation, linked to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The matter came to light after the victims informed their relatives in Zimbabwe about their ordeal, prompting a police report.
Authorities say the victims are still in Russia while the Department of Social Welfare is working on efforts to repatriate them.
The State further alleges that Leonova had shortlisted another five victims for recruitment.
Three were rescued at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport while two others were rescued from a lodge in Eastlea, Harare.
daniel chigunwe