A western Sydney man is expected to appear before Burwood Local Court today (25 September, 2024) for allegedly exit trafficking his wife to Pakistan.
The AFP's Eastern Command Human Trafficking Team launched Operation Kisurra in November 2023 after receiving a report from a woman who claimed her husband had left her in Pakistan without documentation after the family travelled overseas together from Australia.
The man, 29, allegedly deceived the victim about the purpose of travel, telling her they were going to go to Pakistan to see her family. The woman agreed to the trip, and the man, she and their two children flew to Afghanistan in July, 2023 for a holiday, then continued to Pakistan.
While travelling, it will be alleged the man retained control of the family's tickets, passports, visas and other travel documents.
The AFP will allege, after the family arrived in Pakistan, the man told the woman he was going back to Afghanistan to visit friends. However, in September 2023, the victim found out he had returned to Australia alone.
The AFP worked with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to ensure the woman and her children were able to safely return to Australia.
During the investigation, AFP officers executed a search warrant at the man's Auburn home, where several items were seized as evidence.
The AFP then arrested the man today (25 September, 2024), and charged him with one count of exit trafficking of a person from Australia by using deception, contrary to section 271.2(1A) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for the offence is 12 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said exit trafficking was an insidious and often underreported criminal offence.
"Exit trafficking can involve a person using coercion, deception or a threat, to organise or facilitate another to leave Australia," Detective acting Inspector Tsardoulias said.
"No one has the right to force or deceive anyone to leave Australia, or to prevent them from returning against their will.
"We want victims to know the AFP is here to help them and that their safety and wellbeing is our primary concern when we are investigating these matters. Each case is handled with compassion and great care, and the victim's needs are always paramount."
If you suspect that you or another person is experiencing, or at risk of, modern slavery or human trafficking, call 131 AFP (237) or use the AFP's confidential online form. If you have immediate concerns for your safety, the safety of another person, or there is an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000).
The Support for Trafficked People Program is a key component of Australia's response to support victims of human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices, and is delivered nationally by the Australian Red Cross.
