Cetinje: foster couple arrested — suspected of beating and labor-exploiting three minors

Cetinje police have arrested spouses Š.K. and A.S., suspected of human trafficking and domestic violence against three minors aged 8, 13 and 15, who had been placed with them as a foster family by decision of the Center for Social Work, as the newspaper Vijesti reports, citing the Police Directorate statement.

According to police, Š.K. is suspected of continuously, since January 2022, exercising physical violence against the minors — hitting them with fists, wooden objects and other tools — and forcing them with force and threats to hide the violence from the Center for Social Work staff.

Also, Š.K. is suspected of forcing the now 15-year-old minor, since the age of 12, to work in a venue in Cetinje to pay off a debt that a member of his family owed to the venue’s owner; he then forced him to perform heavy physical work in private houses in the Cetinje municipality and in a venue in Budva — where he was expected to earn 1,000 euros a month — denying him the right to schooling.

A.S. is suspected of the same pattern of violence against the minors, as their legal guardian, as well as of forcing the oldest minor into forced labor for material gain, while the 8- and 13-year-olds were forced to do housework and take care of the couple’s grandchildren.

The minors, in cooperation with the Center for Social Work, have been moved to a safe location, where they have been provided the necessary protection and support. The case is being pursued by the Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica, while police emphasize that the fight against human trafficking is a national priority, with particular focus on protecting minors as a sensitive category.