Zambia: Court Grants Bail To Croatians Arrested For Child Trafficking

A Zambian court on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, granted bail to Eight Croatians - four married couples - accused of child trafficking in Zambia, each of them was granted bail of about $1,000 (N460,560.00). 

The magistrate in Ndola, Central Zambia stated that the suspects posed no flight danger because Zambian officials held their passports.

On December 7, last year, the accused reportedly sought to smuggle four children from neighbouring DR Congo with the assistance of a Zambian immigration official.

The children range in age from one to three years.

The immigration official, who is also charged with human trafficking, was previously released on bail.

All nine have pled not guilty.

The trial is set to begin on March 1.

In January, the eight Croatians were detained and charged with child trafficking.

On February 6, the accusations against them were dismissed, and they were told to leave Zambia within 48 hours.

They were about to board an aircraft to leave the country when they were arrested again on new allegations.

They have been detained since their re-arrest on February 7.

The Croatians facing charges include Zoran Subosic, 52, a guitarist in a well-known band Hladno Pivo, or Cold Beer, Immovic Subosic, 41, an administrator, Damir Magic, 44, an electrical technician, Nadic Magic, 45, a technician, Ladislav Persic, 42, a medical doctor, Aleksandra Persic, 43, a hair salon attendant, Noah Kraljevic, 40, a program director, and Uvona Kraljevic, 36, a dog handler. Gloria Sakulenga, a 36-year-old Zambian immigration official, is also charged.