Colombian woman, 35, arrested over debt bondage and slavery charges also laid against Cristhian David Diaz Suarez
A second Colombian national has been arrested and charged with debt bondage and slavery as one of her countrymen faced court over the same allegations.
Police & Courts
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A second person has been arrested over the alleged enslavement of a Venezuelan youth group, in Adelaide’s western suburbs, over a 10-year period.
On Thursday a woman from Colombia, 35, living in Kilburn, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court charged with debt bondage and servitude offences.
She has yet to plead to one count of causing a person to remain in servitude, and one count of intending to cause a victim to enter into debt bondage.
In a statement, Australian Federal Police said the woman was arrested at the same home where Cristhian David Diaz Suarez, who was arrested in November, resided.
Suarez, 38, of Colombia, has yet to plead to one aggravated count of causing debt bondage, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
He is further charged with one aggravated count of causing a person to remain in servitude, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Previously, prosecutors alleged Mr Suarez took control of the passports and lives of a Venezuelan youth group, which he had helped found, upon its arrival in Australia.
They alleged he subjected the youths to persistent and severe control, abuse and servitude, tracked their movements, restricted their daily activities and enforced unreasonable debts.
They further alleged he subjected them to cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, including locking them in cupboards for days, and cut them off from friends and family overseas.
Suarez and the woman faced court in separate hearings on Thursday.
He was remanded in custody, and her on bail, to face court again in June next year.
Outside court, AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said officers would “not hesitate to lay charges where there is evidence of alleged deprived and abhorrent offending”.
“The AFP urges people to be aware of the indicators of slavery-like practices and report anything that may seem suspicious,” she said.
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