Four Romanian men appeared at a preliminary hearing in Amsterdam after being arrested there in July in an investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of Romanian women. Prosecutors alleged that the men belonged to a criminal organisation that recruited women, including through social media, and exploited them in Amsterdam’s red-light district. All four are suspected of sexual exploitation and participation in a criminal organisation; Robert V., Dima V. and Daniel S. also face human-trafficking suspicions. Prosecutors cited intercepted conversations and witness statements, including an allegation that a woman was threatened after reporting Daniel S.

The defence said the case file did not contain sufficient evidence and disputed the portrayal of an organised pimping gang. A judge is due to decide on Friday whether the four suspects will remain in custody. A seventh suspect, George B., who had previously been released, was arrested again; prosecutors said Robert V. had tried to flee by train.