Police speak out after Myer Christmas window event canning, water gun sparks CBD panic: Australian news live

A Colombian man allegedly locked people in cupboards for several days and took control of their passports and income in Adelaide’s north.

The 38-year-old, who lived in Kilburn, is believed to have helped members of a youth group he led in Venezuela emigrate to Australia in 2015, with another member of the group also said to have moved to Australia in 2016.

However, once they arrived in Australia, police will allege the man took control of their passports and income, tracked their movements, restricted their daily activities and forced the victims to “repay debts that had been unreasonably demanded”, in what has been described as “cruel and ongoing”. inhuman and degrading treatment.

Police say he isolated the victims from family and friends and restricted or supervised their private messages to loved ones while locking them out of the group home or in closets for several days.

Australian Federal Police Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said bonded labor practices, including debt bondage, occur when “people are subjected to conditions they did not agree to”.

“Victims are significantly deprived of personal freedom in all aspects of their lives, and threats, coercion or deception are often used against them,” Superintendent Adam said.

“Offenders typically benefit or take advantage of vulnerable people who are unable or unwilling to report conditions of exploitation due to fear of retaliation from perpetrators, social isolation and financial dependence on offenders . »

A search warrant was executed at the man’s home in Kilburn on Thursday. The man was arrested and AFP investigators seized electronic devices and documents. He faces several charges and is expected to appear in court today.

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