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A 62-year-old South Korean national, identified as Han Ho Bae, has been arrested in connection with the suspected sex trafficking of five Vietnamese nationals.
Bae, a holder of a Residence Permit, was apprehended at Ariraag Restaurant Limited, located along Thabo Mbeki Road in Lusaka’s Mass Media Area, following a search by Officers after investigations linked him to the case.
Department of Immigration Public Relations Officer, Namati Nshinka, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday said Bae was arrested on 24th June 2023.
Nshinka said it is believed that he facilitated one of the five Vietnamese to travel to Zambia, as indicated by a visa application letter he authored and signed.
“He has since been charged with one count of trafficking in persons contrary to sections 3(1) and 3(3) of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act No.11 of 2008 of the Laws of Zambia, one count of sexual exploitation contrary to section 6(1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, and giving false information contrary to section 4 (a) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No.18 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.
Nshinka said Pan Peng, a 43-year-old Chinese, has been charged with five counts of trafficking in Persons, five counts of sexual exploitation, and five counts of giving false information, while Liu Gang, a 36-year-old Chinese, has been charged with five counts of sexual exploitation.
“Further, Mr. Jia Yuqi, a 29-year-old Chinese, has been charged with five counts of sexual exploitation and one count of failure to observe conditions specified in his residence permit contrary to section 20(5) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010 of the laws of Zambia,” he said.
Nshinka said Jia Yuqi holds a Residence Permit as a student, but a check at the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) indicated that he is a Director of two companies.
He said Pan Peng and Yuqi Jia were apprehended in the early hours of June 19, 2023 by a team of Immigration Officers and Officers from other Security Wings at Aroma Lodge in Roma township of Lusaka for the suspected trafficking of five Vietnamese for sexual exploitation.
“Gang Liu, on the other hand, was nabbed at Immigration Headquarters later on the same day, where he had gone to inquire about his compatriots,” Nshinka said.
He said all four suspects remain detained and will soon appear in court.
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