Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

A sex trafficking network has been dismantled in Sofia

Photo: Archive - BGNES

A network trafficking young women for prostitution has been broken up, Nova TV reported. The girls worked in clubs in the capital for a fee of 100 leva (51 euro). The traffickers were involved in recruiting, soliciting, providing sexual services and trafficking. 

"Only 1% of the victims have been rescued, which means that very few of them have tried to contact us," said Diana Kitova, head of a hotline for trafficking victims. A growing number of men are daring to come forward, she said.

"Until recently it was women trafficked, now it's human trafficking. The target groups are changing, the recruitment methods are changing, the countries to which people are sent are changing," said Nadia Kozhuharova, coordinator of human trafficking programmes at Animus Association. She added that while trafficking used to be about sexual exploitation, now it is mostly about working, selling babies and organs, and forced marriages.

Unfortunately, victims often do not recognise themselves as such, they have an emotional relationship with the trafficker and are at his disposal.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Experts and employers discuss opportunities for migrants in the Bulgarian labour market

A conference entitled 'Prospects for the Integration of Refugees and Migrants into the Labour Market' is taking place in Sofia today. The event is organised by the Sofia Municipality as part of a project. It will bring together key experts,..

published on 11/10/25 4:49 PM

A bank CEO: ATMs will be filled with euros on the night of 1 January 2026

ATMs will be stocked with euros on the night of 1 January 2026, so that by morning everyone will be able to withdraw euro banknotes. Nikola Bakalov, CEO of one of Bulgaria’s leading banks and a member of the Management Board of the Association of Banks..

published on 11/10/25 4:14 PM
Lebanon's President, General Joseph Aoun, left, and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev meet in Sofia.

Lebanese President Aoun in Bulgaria for official visit

At the invitation of Bulgaria's Head of State, Rumen Radev, Lebanon's President, General Joseph Aoun, arrived on an official visit to Bulgaria. The visit takes place ahead of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between..

published on 11/10/25 2:51 PM