Petru Samuel Balogh

Petru Samuel Balogh, aged 27 and residing on Moorgate Street in east Belfast, appeared at Belfast Crown Court alongside two co-defendants for an arraignment hearing on charges related to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The Romanian national, along with Flortina Ciurar and Ioan Mihai, faces serious allegations concerning the trafficking of six Romanian women for sexual purposes in Northern Ireland.

The charges against Balogh include human trafficking for sexual exploitation, brothel keeping, and controlling prostitution for gain. He is also accused of acquiring, possessing, and transferring criminal property in the form of cash, as well as inciting one of the complainants to become a prostitute for financial gain. These offences are said to have occurred in the context of organised criminal activity targeting vulnerable women.

During the hearing on June 13, 2025, Balogh entered not guilty pleas to all counts. The case, prosecuted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), underscores broader efforts to combat human trafficking networks operating within the region. Court documents detail how the defendants allegedly ran brothels and exploited the victims for profit, depriving them of autonomy and subjecting them to coercive conditions.

Belfast Live reported that the arraignment marked the formal start of proceedings, with a trial date yet to be set. The involvement of multiple defendants highlights the coordinated nature of the alleged operation. Mihai, separately, denied obtaining sexual services in exchange for payment. The case continues to draw attention to the hidden scourge of sexual exploitation in urban areas like Belfast.