Madrid.- A Spanish woman appeared in court on Tuesday, where she denied being part of a human trafficking ring that illegally transported children from the Dominican Republic to Spain. The woman is wanted by the Dominican authorities to face trial alongside four other suspects.
The woman claimed she did not commit the crimes for which she is accused and does not want to be extradited to the Dominican Republic, citing concerns about her health and her son’s well-being. Her defense attorney argued that his client was a “naive” victim who was simply trying to help the children by providing them with food and donations, and was not involved in the illegal activity.
The prosecution argued that the woman’s extradition is necessary due to the advanced stage of the case in the Dominican Republic, where the trial has already begun. They also claimed that all essential evidence, including witnesses and experts, is already in the Caribbean country. The prosecution believes it would be more practical for the woman to face trial alongside the other four defendants in the Dominican Republic rather than in Spain.
However, the defense attorney countered that his client’s life would be at risk if she were extradited, as she requires ongoing oncological treatment and has received threats from individuals in the Dominican Republic. The lawyer also expressed concerns about her client’s physical safety, citing threats made against her and her son.
According to the Dominican authorities’ allegations, which are included in the Spanish prosecutor’s report, the woman was involved in a transnational human trafficking operation that used false documents and testimonies to obtain Dominican passports for the minors. The operation allegedly involved pretending that the children had been mistreated in the Dominican Republic and seeking asylum in Spain on their behalf, before eventually separating them from their biological families.
The case highlights the complex legal and humanitarian issues surrounding human trafficking and child protection, as well as the challenges faced by individuals who are accused of such crimes and may have legitimate concerns about their safety and well-being.