EDMONTON- Edmonton police have charged three men with a
number of offences including human trafficking and procuring juvenile
prostitution, in connection with two separate cases.
In July 2012, it's alleged that 25-year-old Ali Saghafi helped lure an under-age female to Edmonton from Saskatoon for the purpose of prostitution. The teen was reportedly sexually assaulted, beaten, and forced into prostitution.
"The accused spent lots of money on (her)- makeup, food, clothes- and then it came time where there are expectations," explained EPS Communications Advisor Scott Pattison.
After several attempts, police say the victim managed to escape a south Edmonton motel where she was being held against her will. She has since returned to Saskatoon.
Saghafi was arrested on December 20, 2012 and charged with a number of offences including trafficking of a person under the age of 18 years, sexual assault, procuring prostitution and living off the avails of juvenile prostitution.
Investigators believe other females may have been recruited online for purposes of prostitution in Edmonton, in relation to Saghafi's case.
Police say in another recent case, an 18-year-old local woman was allegedly held against her will in a west Edmonton motel and forced into prostitution by two male suspects, after being lured to them by another teen girl.
On Thursday, police arrested 31-year-old Hamid Fazli Ghejlou and 23-year-old Shahin Ranjbar.
Both are facing numerous charged including trafficking and procuring prostitution.
Officers are urging parents to monitor their children's internet usage, but warn that some young girls are being lured into prostitution by teens their own age.
"We want to make sure that kids know not to let their guard down, and parents continue to know and ask questions about who (their) children are with," said Pattison.
Pattison says the two cases are not linked.
In July 2012, it's alleged that 25-year-old Ali Saghafi helped lure an under-age female to Edmonton from Saskatoon for the purpose of prostitution. The teen was reportedly sexually assaulted, beaten, and forced into prostitution.
"The accused spent lots of money on (her)- makeup, food, clothes- and then it came time where there are expectations," explained EPS Communications Advisor Scott Pattison.
After several attempts, police say the victim managed to escape a south Edmonton motel where she was being held against her will. She has since returned to Saskatoon.
Saghafi was arrested on December 20, 2012 and charged with a number of offences including trafficking of a person under the age of 18 years, sexual assault, procuring prostitution and living off the avails of juvenile prostitution.
Investigators believe other females may have been recruited online for purposes of prostitution in Edmonton, in relation to Saghafi's case.
Police say in another recent case, an 18-year-old local woman was allegedly held against her will in a west Edmonton motel and forced into prostitution by two male suspects, after being lured to them by another teen girl.
On Thursday, police arrested 31-year-old Hamid Fazli Ghejlou and 23-year-old Shahin Ranjbar.
Both are facing numerous charged including trafficking and procuring prostitution.
Officers are urging parents to monitor their children's internet usage, but warn that some young girls are being lured into prostitution by teens their own age.
"We want to make sure that kids know not to let their guard down, and parents continue to know and ask questions about who (their) children are with," said Pattison.
Pattison says the two cases are not linked.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.
Read it on Global News: Global Edmonton | Police charge three suspects with human trafficking, prostitution in two separate cases
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