Public Prosecutors from across Serbia who serve as contact points for human trafficking cases gathered in Belgrade on April 2 for a roundtable dedicated to improving practices in handling human trafficking cases.

The event was organized within the framework of the joint program of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” in partnership with the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office and the organization ASTRA – Anti-Trafficking Action, with the aim of strengthening the role of public prosecutors as contact points, enhancing cooperation, and facilitating the exchange of experience in prosecuting this complex form of crime.

Opening remarks were delivered by Tamara Mirović from the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office, Prof. Dr. Milan Žarković, and ASTRA Director Marija Anđelković, who emphasized the importance of a coordinated, efficient, and victim-centered approach in combating human trafficking.

The central part of the event focused on the analysis of judicial practice in cases of human trafficking for the purpose of forced begging and sexual exploitation. Through the presentation of specific court decisions, including judgments of higher courts, participants discussed key issues related to the legal qualification of criminal offenses, proving elements of coercion, abuse of trust, and relationships of dependency, as well as the roles of various actors in the chain of criminal activity.

The speaker at the event was Mladen Jeličić, a judge of the Higher Court in Šabac, who presented a final judgment under Article 388 (human trafficking) concerning forced begging.

The second part of the discussion addressed challenges in cases of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, through a case study and exchange of experiences, with a focus on distinguishing this criminal offense from related crimes, as well as evidentiary challenges in proceedings.

The final segment of the roundtable was dedicated to identifying key practical challenges and formulating recommendations for improving the qualification of criminal offenses, strengthening a victim-centered approach, and enhancing inter-institutional cooperation.

“The roundtable represents an important step in strengthening the capacities of prosecution services and improving Serbia’s effective response to human trafficking, with the continued support of the Council of Europe and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders,” concluded Prosecutor Mirović.

The activity was implemented within the project “Strengthening anti-trafficking action in Serbia,” as part of the joint program of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” contributing to broader efforts to ensure more effective protection of victims’ rights and better access to justice.