Khaberni - The Ministry of Social Solidarity has referred an orphanage director, a businessman, and all workers to the public prosecutor, charging them with human trafficking and exploiting orphanage children in indecent acts at a residential apartment in New Egypt, owned by the businessman who was financing the orphanage.
The incident was uncovered during a surprise inspection
The ministry discovered the incident during a surprise visit carried out by judicial control committees months ago, where it was found that the orphanage director had handed over 4 children to the businessman under the guise of domestic sponsorship without any legal basis or approval from the competent authority, constituting a serious violation of the laws governing child care.
The ministry confirmed in an official statement that it coordinated with the public prosecutor's office and the child protection, special needs, and elderly inspection office to address violations in care homes, explaining that the incident represents a serious crime that affects the security, safety, and rights of children, which are guaranteed by the constitution and the law.
Forensic medicine reveals details of the incident
The ministry emphasized that handing over children and exploiting them outside legal frameworks constitutes a complete human trafficking crime, according to Law No. 64 of 2010 concerning combating human trafficking and its implementing regulations, which impose harsher penalties if the victims are children.
The forensic report revealed that two victims were abused, while the accused confessed in his statements to having perverse inclinations, exploiting children in exchange for financial support, and threatening them with cutting off the support if they reported him.
Strict administrative measures and regular follow-up
Following the discovery of the incident, the ministry implemented strict administrative measures which included investigating all employees responsible for supervising the orphanage in preparation for imposing the maximum legal penalties if any responsibility or negligence were proven.
Rapid response teams deployed across the provinces conduct regular and surprise field visits to address any negligence in the services provided by care homes, through complaints received on the ministry's hotline 16439, and the unified government complaints system hotline 16528.
The ministry also assured that it will not tolerate any misconduct within care homes and is fully committed to applying the human trafficking law in full coordination with the public prosecutor's office and all relevant state devices, to deter any attempts to exploit children and to hold everyone accountable for tampering with their rights.
