Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity uncovered a human trafficking network involving the director of an orphanage and a businessman accused of exploiting children under the institution’s care on Saturday, 17 January, following surprise inspections carried out by the ministry’s Judicial Control Committees. In a statement, the ministry said the case was uncovered during one of several unannounced visits conducted months ago as part of ongoing oversight of care homes nationwide. The inspections are carried out in coordination with the Public Prosecution’s Child, Persons with Disabilities, and Elderly Protection Office within the Judicial Inspection Department. According to the ministry, investigations revealed that the orphanage director illegally handed over four children to a businessman under the pretext of “home care,” without any legal basis or approval from the competent authorities. The businessman had financially supported some residents of the orphanage in exchange for exploiting the children for immoral purposes at his apartment in Heliopolis. The ministry said the actions constitute a “full-fledged crime of human trafficking” under Law No. 64 of 2010 on Combating Human Trafficking, which criminalizes the transfer or exploitation of children outside legal frameworks, with harsher penalties when victims…
