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Accused in human trafficking investigation pleads not guilty

Jan 7, 2022 | 11:20 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Pleas of not guilty have been entered for one individual facing charges relating to alleged human trafficking.

In August 2021, Meriton Krasniqi, 26, was among 10 people who were charged as part of an investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation, sexual assault, and trafficking of at least two underaged girls.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Police charge 10 males in human trafficking investigation

READ MORE: All 10 suspects in human trafficking investigation have been released on bail

READ MORE: Additional victims come forward in Lethbridge human trafficking investigation

In Lethbridge Provincial Court on Friday, a lawyer speaking on behalf of Krasniqi entered not guilty pleas to two counts of sexual assault and one count each of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault – party to an offence with another person, aggravated sexual assault, and trafficking persons under 18.

He had been under 24/7 house arrest, but a request to change that to a curfew between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am was granted.

Krasniqi’s attorney estimated that his client would need a two-day trial but dates for that have not yet been set.

While LPS put out the initial media release about the 10 suspects being charged on August 13, Krasniqi turned himself in to police three days later.

READ MORE: Two men wanted in LPS human trafficking investigation now in custody

Pleas have still not been entered for the other accused individuals, who are not co-accused, but rather, are charged in related matters.

In recent months, the lawyers for these suspects have stated that there is a significant amount of disclosure that is still in the process of being reviewed.

One said there is about half of a terabyte of text, photo, and video files.