A man accused of trafficking a woman into Scotland for prostitution has gone AWOL.
Ionut-Alexandru Nita is said have arranged for men to have sex with the alleged victim as well as threatened, blackmailed and assaulted her.
It is claimed that the 31-year-old transported the woman from Bucharest, Romania.
Prosecutors state he did “harbour” her at a hostel and flat in Glasgow city centre as well as another property in Aberdeen.
Nita, of Paisley, allegedly put adverts online posing as the woman and fixed for men to have sex with her for money.
This was said to have been done “without her agreement”.
It is further stated Nita demanded half of the proceeds from this to be sent to him.
Other claims include that he took the woman’s mobile phone, tracked her movements, and allegedly installed a camera and microphone in the Glasgow flat.
He is also said to have threatened to send “intimate images” of her to her family.
Nita was further alleged to have been physically violent, including claims that he brandished a knife, hit her with a mop pole, and choked her.
Prosecutors state that by doing all this, he was “aiding, abetting and compelling” prostitution.
Nita was expected to face a charge under the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today, though he did not appear.
He was also accused of running a brothel at flats in both the city and Aberdeen. The charges spanned from August 2021 to December 2023.
But, his defence KC David Moggach said: “I had hoped to appear for him, but sadly he is not here.”
Advocate depute Vish Kathuria then stated to Lord Armstrong: “I ask for a warrant to apprehend.”
The judge subsequently granted the warrant for Nita’s arrest.