Human trafficking

Chinese women forced into prostitution in Graz

Three suspects forced numerous Chinese women who had entered Austria legally into prostitution in Graz and Vienna. The suspects were finally arrested after intensive investigations by criminal investigators. They have not confessed. 

Months of investigations by the Styrian Criminal Police Office in close cooperation with the Vienna Criminal Police Office in a case of cross-border prostitution trafficking in Graz and Vienna have now led to the arrest of three suspects. Two Chinese men (31 and 49) and a Chinese woman (55) are suspected of having forced and exploited numerous Chinese women into prostitution between fall 2021 and spring 2024. 

Employed in brothels in Graz and Vienna
The women are also alleged to have been deprived of their freedom and coerced. The victims mainly traveled to Austria legally by plane via Vienna-Schwechat or by train from Italy. Once in the country, the suspects took their travel documents. The women then applied for asylum in order to be able to work legally. The Chinese women were then "employed" in various brothels in Graz and Vienna.

None of the suspects confessed
The public prosecutor's office in Graz ordered house searches in Graz and Vienna. Investigators were able to seize numerous items of evidence, including cash and documents.

The suspects have not confessed or have only partially confessed. The investigations by the Styrian State Office of Criminal Investigation are still ongoing and are proving difficult, as other possible victims and witnesses have also remained silent. The public prosecutor's office in Graz ordered the arrest of the three suspects. They are being held in Graz-Jakomini prison.