30 March 2015
Czech
trafficking trial halted at Plymouth court over interpreter
The
trial of five Czechs accused of trafficking men into Britain has been adjourned
after concerns were raised about one of the interpreters.
Two
men and three women, members of an extended Roma family, are facing a jury at
Plymouth Crown Court for allegedly housing compatriots in their homes for
economic exploitation.
But
the court was told this afternoon that the case would have to be postponed
until tomorrow.
One
of the men who was allegedly trafficked, Josef Bukovinsky, is giving evidence
from behind a screen.
Judge
Paul Darlow said to the jury: “We have very serious concerns as to the quality
and fairness of the interpretation we are being offered.
“That
complaint has come from a number of different independent sources, in that the
interpreter who is interpreting Josef’s evidence is not doing so professionally
and fairly. We must have absolutely reliable interpretation.
“The
long and the short of it is that another interpreter has to be organised for
the witness.”
The
panel was sent home until 2pm tomorrow.
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