Ukranian pair fight charges of forced labor in US
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two brothers on trial in Philadelphia are denying charges they smuggled young workers into the U.S. from their native Ukraine and enslaved them once they arrived.
A jury heard closing arguments Tuesday in the racketeering case against Omelyan and Stepan Botsvynyuk (bots-VIN'-yuk).
Prosecutors say the brothers lured poor villagers to the U.S. and forced them to work long hours cleaning stores and offices, for little or no pay. They say they were made to work off the cost of their journey, and were beaten or raped if they complained.
Defense lawyers say the witnesses were desperate to come to the U.S. — and are desperate to stay here.
They say the witnesses will say anything to get a T-visa, set aside for trafficking victims.
Deliberations are set to start Wednesday.
