In recent years, the Balkan migration route has gained prominence as a gateway for migrants seeking to enter Europe irregularly. This route, which stretches from Bulgaria to Serbia, has seen an increase in the number of people crossing the borders, surpassing the Central Mediterranean route. However, behind this influx of migrants lies a dark and treacherous underworld of people-smuggling that often goes unnoticed.
One individual, Slavi, who has just completed a two and a half-year sentence in Boychinovtsi prison in Bulgaria, has experienced first-hand the torrid lives led by people-smugglers at the lowest rung of the pyramid. Slavi and his fellow smugglers were caught while transporting Afghan migrants from Bulgaria to Serbia. Packed like sardines in four cars, the migrants had no chance of escaping when the police descended upon them. What ensued was a harrowing ordeal inside the Bulgarian prison, where the migrants endured freezing conditions, dampness, and hunger.
The Balkan migration route is not only a popular transit point for migrants but also a hub for the recruitment of drivers to transport them across Bulgaria. Slavi, who was paid €50 per migrant for the trips from Sofia to the border, initially considered it a means to help those seeking a better life. However, as he reflects on his experience, Slavi now acknowledges the exploitation and risks involved.
One of Slavi’s friends, Ivajlo, suffered a stroke while imprisoned in Hungary for people-smuggling. Hungarian authorities sent him back to Bulgaria to complete his sentence, and now he resides in Boychinovtsi, where there are concerns regarding the availability of necessary medications. Slavi’s allegations of police corruption are further substantiated by Pavlin Kodzhahristov, the former head of the anti-corruption unit in the Bulgarian interior ministry, who highlights various instances of misconduct among border police officers.
The abhorrent conditions and tragic incidents associated with people-smuggling, such as the suffocation of 18 Afghan migrants inside an abandoned truck, underline the pressing need to address this pervasive issue. Hedayatullah, a survivor of the incident, places blame on both the smugglers and the driver for their callous indifference to the lives entrusted to them.
Slavi and his friend Svetlo now strive to dissuade young Bulgarians from engaging in the smuggling trade. They emphasize the toll it takes on families and the potential for devastating accidents. Despite being offered substantial sums of money, Svetlo rejects the allure of smuggling. Both men have made the difficult decision to leave their criminal past behind them.
Their stories shed light on the complex web of desperation, corruption, and exploitation in the world of people-smuggling. The dire prison conditions, coupled with the risks posed to the migrants and the smugglers themselves, underscore the need for comprehensive measures to combat this illicit trade.
This eye-opening account serves as a cautionary tale, urging society to confront the harsh realities faced by migrants and the dire consequences of criminal activities. It is imperative that governments and international organizations collaborate to dismantle smuggling networks, provide safer alternatives for migration, and address the socio-economic factors driving individuals into the clutches of smugglers. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to put an end to the torrid lives at the bottom of the people-smugglers’ pyramid.
