They were recruiting beggars among destitute believers and had them sent to France to make money for them. This is the main charge prosecutors levelled against two priests from Târnăveni, who stand accused of being part of a human trafficking crime ring.
Many of the beggars were under-age and, before being sent to beg in the streets, they were forced to sign three month contracts and made to swear on icons that they would not keep the money made from begging for themselves.
The priests were the beggars' bookkeepers as well.
Going to France means good business for many people from Târnăveni. Prosecutors have uncovered a crime ring of human traffickers with accomplices almost everywhere, from the pooresr neighbourhood to the local Church.
The crime ring was led by a twenty year-old man, investigators say. The criminal mastermind covered the travel expenses of those sent to beg in France and made them sign contracts on pre-determined periods, just like a real employer. This business allegedly brought him a profit of one hundred thousand euros.
The people going abroad to beg were promised three meals a day and accommodation free-of-charge, plus 500 lei a month each. In exchange, they were supposed to give all the money they made by begging in the street to the head of the crime ring.
This is where the two priests stepped in, investigators say. The traffickers would make their new recruits take an oath in Church. "Thou shalt not steal from the money you make there!" This was the first Commandment the destitute flock of father Lupşa and father Pătrunjel had to obey.
The criminal mastermind has been arrested and the two priests who allegedly did the book-keeping for the crime ring are being investigated. Church representatives have refused to comment on the situation in Târnăveni. They announced, however, that the two priests slash traffickers had been suspended by the Alba County Archdiocese.