Mother of 12-year-old victim at center of explosive child trafficking case ordered jailed

An investigative magistrate in Athens ordered the remand of a 37-year-old local woman accused of felonious solicitation of a minor for the purpose of prostitution, with the minor in question being her 12-year-old daughter.

The incident is part of an explosive criminal case in Greece, emerging this month, involving the alleged rape and sexual exploitation the minor in the working-class Sepolia district in central Athens. The alleged abuse has been attributed to a neighborhood shop owner and handful of other arrested suspects, with self-confessing testimony provided so far. According to reports, some 213 users of a specific personal ads application either molested the child or inquired about her.

According to the mother’s attorney, she categorically denied the charges against her and claimed ignorance of the exploitation and abuse suffered by her young daughter.

The victim’s initial testimony has also – again, according to defense attorneys – claimed that the mother was unaware of the exploitation.

Conversely, widely circulated media reports in the Greek capital revealed that authorities have detected numerous bank transfers to the mother by third parties, as well as mobile phone messages supposedly written by the minor instructing, among others, “the money to my mother”.

A remand in custody essentially means pre-trial detainment, which in which can extend to a maximum of 18 months. She was initially arrested pending arraignment a few days ago.