Billionaire family in court for human trafficking

Four people from Britain's richest family are being prosecuted in Switzerland, accused of human trafficking. The case concerns how the family treated employees who, among other things, were supposed to take care of the children.

» Published: June 18 2024

Billionaire family in court for human trafficking
Photo: Louis Dasselborne/Keystone via AP/TT

Four people from the UK's richest family are facing trial in Switzerland, accused of human trafficking.

The case concerns how the family treated employees who, among other things, were supposed to take care of the children.

The Hinduja family is valued at approximately more than 490 billion Swedish kronor, reports BBC. The allegations concern how family members brought people from India to work in the family's household. The Hinduja family has a villa in the Swiss town of Cologny.

The individuals are accused of confiscating the employees' passports, imposing harsh restrictions on when they could leave the house, and paying the staff as little as the equivalent of around 80 kronor for 18-hour work shifts.

A financial settlement has already been reached for allegations of exploitation, but the ongoing legal process concerns human trafficking offences. The family denies the allegations.

The defence lawyers have said that the wages need to be seen in context, given that the staff also received food and accommodation.

Regarding the long working days, an advocate argues that it cannot really be counted as work when watching films with the family's children.

Prosecutor Yves Bertossa is seeking prison sentences and damages of several million.

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By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

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