Luxembourg has become a transit point for illegal migrants
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In Niedersachsen, Germany, a court sentenced a 49-year-old woman to three years and three months in prison for organising the illegal transport of migrants. According to the prosecution, she was part of a criminal gang that trafficked Syrian migrants to Germany via airports in Europe, including Zürich and Luxembourg (Findel), as well as the Balkan route.
The Prosecutor's Office found that the criminal scheme operated from March 2021 to September 2023. The main defendant played a central role in organising the transport and managing the money received. In total, the network earned around €300,000 from the illegal transit of migrants.
The court also sentenced the other members of the network. A 28-year-old co-conspirator received 10 months in prison, but was released with pre-trial detention. The other two defendants, aged 24 and 52, received 1.5 years suspended sentences each. The court also ordered the confiscation of €40,000 obtained by the perpetrators.
Network criminals helped Syrians to enter Germany via airports or illegal routes, including the Balkans. In some cases, the migrants were provided with false passports.
The trial was held under a simplified procedure, as the defendants pleaded guilty. The verdicts have not yet entered into legal force, as the defence has the right to appeal. However, the case confirms that Luxembourg remains an important point i the routes of illegal migration to Europe.
