A clan leader, Roberto Hamidovic, 48, has been jailed for eight years for human trafficking after sending gangs of child pickpockets to target tourists in Paris. The Paris court also imposed a €500,000 fine on Hamidovic.
His wife, Lejla, received a six-year prison sentence and a €300,000 fine. Two of their sons, a nephew, and two female relatives were given prison sentences ranging from five to seven years, along with fines. All convicted individuals have been told they will be extradited and banned from entering France upon their release.
According to police, Hamidovic ran a network of child thieves, predominantly girls as young as 10, who allegedly brought in an average of €25,000 (£21,500) daily from locations such as the Paris Métro and Disneyland Paris. The court heard that if the children failed to hand over sufficient money, they would be subjected to beatings, burns, or sexual abuse.
Detectives stated that seven members of the Hamidovic clan, comprising four men and three women, were on trial for human trafficking, organised theft, corruption of minors, money laundering, and criminal association. All denied the charges.