A western Sydney man is expected to appear before Burwood Local Court today (25 September 2024) for allegedly exit trafficking his wife to Pakistan, Australian Federal Police’s (AFP) reported.

The AFP’s Eastern Command Human Trafficking Team launched Operation Kisurra in November 2023 after receiving a report from a woman who claimed her husband had left her in Pakistan without documentation after the family traveled overseas together from Australia.

The 29-year-old man allegedly deceived the victim about the purpose of the trip, telling her they were going to Pakistan to visit her family. The woman agreed to the trip, and the man and her and their two children flew to Afghanistan in July 2023 for a holiday before continuing to Pakistan.

While traveling, it is alleged that the man retained control of the family’s tickets, passports, visas, and other travel documents.

After the family arrived in Pakistan, the man reportedly told the woman he was returning to Afghanistan to visit friends. However, in September 2023, the victim discovered that he had returned to Australia alone.

The AFP collaborated with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to ensure the woman and her children could safely return to Australia.

During the investigation, AFP officers executed a search warrant at the man’s home in Auburn, where several items were seized as evidence.

Today (25 September 2024), the AFP arrested the man and charged him with one count of exit trafficking of a person from Australia by using deception, contrary to section 271.2(1A) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 12 years’ imprisonment.

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AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias expressed concern over exit trafficking, noting it as an insidious and often underreported crime.

“Exit trafficking can involve a person using coercion, deception, or a threat to organise or facilitate another to leave Australia,” Detective Acting Inspector Tsardoulias stated.

“No one has the right to force or deceive anyone to leave Australia, or to prevent them from returning against their will. We want victims to know the AFP is here to help them and that their safety and wellbeing is our primary concern when investigating these matters. Each case is handled with compassion and great care, and the victim’s needs are always paramount.”