Farmers in Astrakhan oblast accused of using slave labor

The investigation of a criminal case has been completed in Astrakhan against Alexander Larin, director of the private company "Lastra", his son Kirill Larin and driver Khagani Akhundov, who are accused of using slave labor of 16 residents of Uzbekistan.

The investigation has established that, in February 2009, the Larins brought 16 citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Narimanovsk district of Astrakhan oblast. They were promised official employment at the "Lastra" Ltd which deals with plant growing and cultivation of agricultural plants.

According to the investigation, when the people had arrived to the place their passports were taken away, they were locked in a room and prohibited to move under the threat of beating and even murder. The people were brought to work at agricultural warehouses under surveillance and locked there for the day. When the field season started they were forced to work in the field, writes the "Rossijskaya Gazeta" newspaper.

The defendants may get from three to ten years of prison.

The press service of the investigation department of the RF ICP for the region reports that on Wednesday, April 28, the criminal case with an approved indictment was submitted to court for consideration on its merits, notes "Interfax".