Cuba arrests 17 in human trafficking ring that lured young men to fight for Russia in Ukraine
Cuban authorities have arrested 17 people allegedly involved in a human trafficking ring that lured young Cubans to serve in the Russian army on the Ukrainian front, Reuters reports.
The prosecutor's office said the suspects could face up to 30 years in prison, life in prison, or even the death penalty, depending on the seriousness and type of crimes, which range from human trafficking, fighting as mercenaries, and hostile action against a foreign state.
The father of two young men recruited by the cell appeared on state television and said one of his sons managed to leave the island in July and the other is in the custody of Cuban authorities.
The US media reported the case of two 19-year-olds who said they were recruited on Facebook and deceived by their recruiters. The recruiters said they were offering them jobs as bricklayers in the Russian army in Ukraine.
Other witnesses claim they were recruited directly by the Russian armed forces.
The Cuban government has denied any complicity with Moscow and says it has no involvement in the war in Ukraine and rejects the idea of mercenarism.
Russia, which has strong political ties to communist leaders in Havana, has long been a major destination for Cuban migrants trying to escape economic stagnation at home.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree last year allowing foreigners who enlist to serve in the Russian army to receive citizenship through a fast-track procedure.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
