Human Trafficking in Russia: Isang Pinay ang nakatakas sa pang-aabuso, pero natatakot sa resbak ng amo na may koneksyon sa mga Pulis
Patnubay English from Russian Article
12:06 / 14.2.2017
Filipino escaped slavery, fears revenge from family with police connections
Text: Elena Alekseeva
YAKUTIA.INFO. The journalists of the site news.ykt.ru visited the Republican Hospital No. 2 and met with the Filipino Raquel in order to find out firsthand what actually happened on the night of February 12. Raquel told about everything and asked not to photograph her in such a state.
34-year-old Raquel Fabroz came to Russia two years ago, she worked all the time Cleaning services Christina Levadny “clean house.” In early February, Raquel decided to switch to another employer because Christine was delaying wages. Further events resemble a crime drama. On February 3, Raquel took her things and left for a new company. Kristina Levadnaya and her husband, police lieutenant colonel Alexander Levadny, forced the woman back. The foreign woman was forcibly detained and beaten. In order to escape from captivity, she had to jump out of the window. With numerous bruises, abrasions, a broken leg and a spine, Raquel somehow miraculously managed to get to the apartment of businessman Afanasy Alekseev, who saved the girl and handed her over to the doctors. Doctors assess Raquel’s condition as consistently serious.
Gavril Sobakin , head of the trauma center of the republican hospital No. 2, the center of emergency medical care:
– Whether you are a citizen or not a citizen of Russia, whether you have a passport or not, you receive free treatment for up to three days. At this time, we are doing everything we can. The patient’s condition is consistently grave. She lies in the general ward. So far, we give only such information. We can tell in more detail only with the official consent of the superiors, that is, the Ministry of Health or with the written consent of the patient.
After talking with the hospital doctors, news.ykt.ru reporters barely made their way into Raquel’s ward, bypassing the orderlies and nurses. Raquel lies in a common room with five women.
Raquel Fabroz de la Cruz:
– I feel terrible. My spine is broken, my leg is broken, everything hurts. I worked for Christina for two years and three months. Recently, I decided to leave for another company, because they were delaying wages, and they didn’t want to pay compensation for overtime.
On February 3, I left to work for a new firm. On the phone she said to Christine: “I’m sorry, madam! I am moving to the Cinderella agency. ” She got angry, said she would call the police. I did not have time to meet with her personally, and I was afraid of the police, since I have no documents with me, they were being reissued in Moscow. Three days later, the documents were to be brought to Yakutsk to Christina’s office. I was afraid of her. She always scared me that I was a prisoner, because I had no documents.
She moved into an apartment rented by a new company, but did not start work because she was waiting for documents from Moscow. On Friday morning, the police came to this apartment, knocked, I did not answer. Later I learned that on that day they detained two Filipino girls who work in Cinderella, where I got a job.
After a while, I called Christina to ask about the documents, whether they were delivered or not. To which she said that she would help me. Soon she arrived, took me, we got into her car. Her husband Alexander was waiting for us in front of a building; he was supposed to give me my passport, delivered from Moscow. They took me to their friend’s house, I had not been there before, perhaps he also works for the police. We went into the house, after a while we went after the girls. It was around seven in the evening.
Already in the car, Christina offered to go to my new apartment and pick up my things. I refused. After a while, the new employer called and asked where I was. I said that it was Christine’s. At that moment Levadnaya stopped the car. She came out, opened the door and hit me in the face, saying “hand over the phone!” This was the first time she hit me — in the car. I replied that these are my personal belongings! She said that I am very sorry that I no longer want to work for them. After that, she pulled me out onto the road, hit me, tried to pick up my phone and bag. Then her husband came up and said, “I’m a policeman, give me the phone.” I repeated again that I never want to work for them again, I feel bad that these are my personal things, I will not give them to them. They dragged me into a car and took me to a friend’s house. There Christina began to beat me again. Her husband choked me, then took my phone and bag, where all my money was. After that, he closed the door, leaving me in the room.
On Saturday afternoon I asked Christina “please, madam, return my things”, she said “no, I don’t want to see your face,” pushed me away and started beating me again. Her friend said: “Christina, stop!”, But she did not hear and beat me. I was very scared, I waited until they fell asleep, and by morning, at about three-thirty, I jumped out of the window. Falling to the ground, I felt a terrible pain in my legs, ran to the road and caught a taxi, asked to take me to the address, I didn’t know the exact address, and said “home with a big clock”. The family of Afanasy Alekseev lives there, I worked for them for a year and a half, they always treated me well. I was so scared, I didn’t know where to go. I am very grateful to them, if not for them, we would not have spoken to you. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to them.
I have no documents to go to the hospital, and I was afraid to go to the police, because Christina’s husband works there.
Why didn’t you go to the new agency?
– Because there could be policemen. Christina scared me very much that I was without documents, they would put me in jail, I would be a prisoner. Many girls do not have documents, but she only frightened me with this. Because I didn’t want me to go to another company. I told her “I’m sorry, madam, I don’t want to work for you anymore.” They delayed wages and did not pay compensation, and I came here because I need money for my family.
According to some information, they want to charge you with theft.
– No. I didn’t steal money. Never. I have always worked honestly, very well, no one has ever had any complaints about my work.
Before that, did you have a conflict with Christina or her husband?
– No, this is the first time. I worked very well for this company.
Have other Filipinos had conflicts with them?
– Yes they were. When other girls went to new jobs because Christina was not paying. They had arguments over this.
How many girls work for Christina?
– Approximately 18. Some leave for Moscow because it does not pay and does not pay compensation. If we are sick, we do not receive any medical care; we pay for all medications and treatment ourselves. Everything is different in the new organization, there are good working conditions, I want to work there.
Where do you live with the girls here?
– I used to live in a hostel on Richard Sorge.
Did you file a statement with the police?
– Yes, yesterday. She gave evidence, everything is as it is, as I told you.
Do you want to go back to the Philippines?
– Of course, I planned to return this year. But now I’m in trouble. Please help me.
Tell me about your family. Do you have children?
– Yes, I have a son. He is nine years old. He is now at home with his father, I miss them very much. Highly.
Did you tell them what happened to you?
– Not yet. I have no internet to contact them. I am so afraid that this news will reach my relatives. This is a shame for me. For my whole family. My family has always been proud of me and appreciates me highly, I would not want them to see me in such a state.
Why did you decide to work in Yakutsk?
– Before that, I worked for 6 years in Hong Kong. My agent asked if I would like to work in Russia, I agreed. I stayed in Moscow for two weeks, there was no work at all.
Do you choose which city of Russia you will work in?
– No, the agency chooses. The company contacted Christina and I was sent to Yakutsk. I came here with my friends, they also did not know that Christina would not pay. My friends went back to Moscow.
Did you tell your friends, who are in Yakutsk, what happened to you?
– No, because Christina has my old phone. The Alekseev family bought me a new phone. Thank them very much, if not for them, I don’t know what would have happened to me. I need to return my phone, which was taken away by Christina and her husband, I have a scan of my passport there.
After everything that happened, did you talk to Christina?
– Yes, I asked her to return my phone, she refused. I know that my documents have been delivered and they are now with her, please help to pick them up. I do not know what to do.
Are you well treated here?
– Yes, the doctor comes in, monitors my condition. I hope you can help me …
At that moment, a policeman with a doctor entered the ward to film and fix the beatings. Seeing a man in uniform, Raquel grabbed my hand and, crying, whispered, “What do they want from me? I’m scared! Do not leave! I told the other policeman everything yesterday. ” I calmed her down and translated that they would look at the abrasions and bruises. After a while, the doctor examined her, and the policeman recorded the beatings. They’re gone.
– All hope is on you! Christina said that she had my documents. I would like to return them. Without them, in three days they will put me out on the street, I’m scared. Please help!
The problem is that the Filipina has no documents, which is why she can only count on a three-day stay in a Russian hospital. Even if the patient needs an operation, no one will perform it. Who will pay?
We will do our best!
Afanasy Alekseev, owner of the Japanese spare parts store. The man, who was previously involved in boxing, rebuffed the Levadny couple, who showed up at his house and wanted to take the Filipina. It is noteworthy that Alekseev turned to “02” for help, but Christina and her husband, lieutenant colonel, arrived at his apartment first. The businessman wonders why the officer on duty told the Levadny his address? The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet commented on this topic.
Saying goodbye to her, I went out into the corridor, where I met her savior Afanasy Alekseev. When I asked “what news?” The injury is serious, an urgent operation is needed. A foreigner can only count on a paid operation. The first invoice of 140 thousand rubles was issued in RB # 2.
Need to urgently look for money? Can you organize a fundraiser?
– No, don’t. I’ll pay for it myself.
Now the situation is complicated by the fact that the second payment for the operation is connected with the delivery of medicines from another city. There is no time for delay. Alekseev is ready to pay the second bill and now it is important to speed up the delivery of medical supplies necessary for the operation. News.Ykt.Ru journalists contacted the Minister of Health of Yakutia, Mikhail Okhlopkov, who promised to provide assistance.
News.ykt.ru journalists contacted the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Moscow and reported the problem with their citizen. In the coming days, their representative Jeff Valdez will arrive in Yakutsk, he promised to investigate the situation in detail.
Alexander and Kristina Levadnye. Photo from Kristina’s personal page
Also during the day, news.ykt.ru journalists contacted Christina and Alexander Levadny several times, they promised to come to the editorial office, but never showed up. Later, Alexander told reporters that the management had forbidden him to comment. Journalists continue to follow the development of events.
Article Source https://yakutia.info/article/178969