Four alleged Romanian pimps had first hearing for years of exploiting women

The four Romainians arrested on the Wallen in Amsterdam last July belonged to a criminal organization that exploited women from Romania and other countries for years, Het Parool reports. The women worked behind the windows in Wallen, which is also known as the Red Light District. Crucial evidence in the case was obtained after the police placed listening devices in the suspects’ vehicles.

The suspects’ defense attorney maintains that there is insufficient evidence, which emerged during the first pro forma hearing at the court in Amsterdam-Zuid.

One of the listening devices recorded one of the suspects, Ion G., 41, saying. “That girl was mine; I take her money. Are you crazy?” The woman he referred to was allegedly among many brought from countries including Austria, Romania and Germany by the four suspects to work in prostitution.

The lead suspect, Robert V., is alleged to have had at least 20 women working for them at that point. He is said to have misled, manipulated, and exploited the women that he would also get into relationships with. The Public Prosecution Service suspects him of leading the organization, in part because he received money from the other suspects.

Another suspect, Vasile D., 42, who lived on the Zeedijk, is said to have sent a Facebook message to a woman that was already doing sex work, inviting her to come to Amsterdam. The two started a relationship. According to the OM, the woman was required to hand in her earnings. D. had also physically assaulted her and confiscated her ID.

D. would also choose what the woman can wear. He also controlled her work schedule. When she refused to work behind her window on New Year's Eve, he reportedly became aggressive with her.

In total, seven Romanian men were arrested at the end of July. Three were arrested in Romania and two in Amsterdam. George B., the half-brother of the lead suspect, had been released but then arrested again recently. According to OM, he attempted to flee abroad by train.

Multiple complaints have been filed against the four that were present during the first pro forma hearing. They are all charged with sexual exploitation and membership in a criminal organization.

During the investigation the police intercepted the suspects a couple of times. In one recorded conversation, Daniel S. is said to have told some other people on the terrace of the Majestic on Dam Square: “In this country you can have ten women, as long as you don’t beat them and don’t take their money by force.”

The public prosecution is treating that statement as evidence of subtle exploitation, often carried out by forming relationships in which women are misled. “The average pimp no longer locks women up; instead we see that exploitation has become much more subtle - for example, by promising a future in Romania with children and a family.”