Man charged over alleged attempt to traffic woman and children from Australia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 05:32 · Archive

A 37-year-old Pakistani national has been charged after authorities stopped a woman and two children being taken from Australia through Melbourne Airport.

A man has been charged after authorities stopped a woman and two young children being taken from Australia against their will through Melbourne Airport. The 37-year-old Pakistani national appeared in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday facing charges of attempting to organise the removal of another person from Australia using coercion, threats or deception.

The Australian Federal Police began investigating in June after a member of the public raised concerns that the woman and her children were about to be taken to Pakistan. Authorities tracked down the group before their planned departure and separated the woman and children from the man. Police allege the man used threats to force the woman to comply with the travel plans. He was charged following warrants carried out in Glenroy on 9 October, with investigators seizing a mobile phone, laptop and other documents.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison. AFP Detective Superintendent Ray Imbriano described exit trafficking as an under-reported crime and said authorities would act against anyone accused of trying to force people to leave the country. 'Thanks to timely information and swift action by investigators and community partners, authorities were able to intervene before the alleged trafficking could occur,' he said.

How it is being reported

• Man charged after alleged attempt to take woman and children out of Australia through Melbourne AirportA tip-off to authorities helped stop a woman and two young children from allegedly being forced out of the country against their will.The West Australian · 14 Oct, 05:20
• Man charged after alleged attempt to take woman and children out of Australia through Melbourne AirportA tip-off to authorities helped stop a woman and two young children from allegedly being forced out of the country against their will.Perth Now · 14 Oct, 05:20

In this story: Australian Federal Police · Melbourne Airport · Pakistan · Glenroy · Melbourne Magistrates' Court · Ray Imbriano

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