Two men charged with exploitation of minors

Two men aged 26 and 27 have been charged with the exploitation of four underage boys, South and North Jutland Police announced in a press release.

The alleged exploitation occurred during work involving the removal of asbestos-containing roof panels at a property in Sønderborg Municipality, according to police.

Prosecutors allege the men exploited the boys’ “difficulties, lack of insight, recklessness, or an existing dependency relationship” to employ them under clearly unreasonable conditions.

The men also face charges for violating several workplace safety regulations related to the work.

The case will be heard in Sønderborg Court, though no date has been set. The men’s response to the charges has not been disclosed.

Acting chief prosecutor Jesper Klyve said the case involves human exploitation, a relatively new provision in the penal code with limited legal precedent, requiring complex assessments.

“We have conducted a thorough review of the case, as well as the rules on human exploitation and asbestos handling, and found grounds to file charges,” Klyve said.