Moscow police arrive in a marketplace on July 31 to inspect the place for illegal immigrants.
Russian authorities say three high-ranking police and immigration services officials have collaborated with criminal gangs to bring migrants into Russia illegally to work in Å“slave labor” conditions.
Moscow police said Wednesday that the unnamed officers have been fired and are facing criminal proceedings for helping migrants enter the country unlawfully.
The unnamed officials include the deputy head of migration service in eastern Moscow and two deputy police chiefs for Moscow districts.
Police said in a statement that the three officers had Å“betrayed the interests of the service and engaged in corrupt activities.”
In addition, authorities arrested 1,000 people on Wednesday after an inspection was carried out at the Sadovod market in southeast Moscow.
Moscow police recently launched a series of raids on the cityâ„¢s marketplaces in an effort to Å“decriminalize them” after a police officer was attacked by an angry mob in a marketplace on July 27, which left him seriously injured.
The police operation has led to the arrest of several thousands of people for migration violations.
Among those detained are 600 illegal migrants, mostly from Vietnam, who are being held in temporary camps until they are deported. Rights groups have criticized inhumane conditions the migrants are living in.
CAH/KA
Republished from: Press TV