I completely agree with Jayil, it's high-time Robocops were introduced to cleanse the streets of scum like these Italian circus charlatans. Imagine one taking out that fish-tank, and razing the ringmaster and his cronies, awesome.

One the other hand, humans by nature like hurting one another, so do we really want an army of good-two-shoes robots standing in the our way? And what happens if they get too smart for their own good, huh? Maybe time to re-load Matrix and Terminator in your DVD, wise-guy.

bailz, london,

Why there's always some one trying to involve the Catholic faith or the Vatican in this matters? How would you like if I spoke about children working in English mines, or Dickensian poverty, or hooliganism as a natural consequence of Protestant beliefs or of the Church of England?

J.J. Tato, Alicante, Spain

@ Dave from Cheshire. I am Italian-born and I do not see why Italy and/or I should "hang our heads in shame". Italy has signed the Human Rights Declaration in order to protect everybody's (not just Italian citizens') human rights, and indeed the Italian police has acted as soon as they discovered what was going on: what would you want them to do more? Episodes like this take place everywhere in the world (do you remember the American couple that was jailed last month for keeping their housemaid in slavery?), the difference is whether or not the State and police work at crushing down these phenomena. And luckily, as this article shows, Italy does.

Harry, Oxford,

Oh those poor fish. Piranhas are skittish and timid fish. This must have terrified them.

Ken Hall, Barrow in Furness, UK

is it true that we offer Roma asylum from countries that we feel are fit to be in the EU? If this is just a rumour correct me. If we do, shouldnt these countries be expelled?

E Skelton, cardiff, wales

@olan, ft worth, texas.
No. What lifted man out of the dark ages was the Enlightenment, that is, science and reasoning.

There are so many posters from America on these boards nowadays. It makes one wonder about the state of the media in their own country. Is it really that bad?

Michael ANthony, Birmingham, UK

Paul from London is technically right- the pirhanas are very unlikely to hurt the woman - actually they sound much less dangerous than the Italian circus owners.... but the point is the slavery which is so sad and dispicable.

It is strange that many people must have seen the show and none of them reported it/saw anything amiss...? Makes you wonder how many other people are being held as slaves under our noses in Europe...

A Smith ( Fish Biologist), London, UK

You would expect this to be a story from some place in China, not a European Union member nation like Italy, Before we in the west start preaching to the likes of China about human rights abuses lets get our own house in order. How can this take place in public in a nation that has signed up to protect the Human Rights of all its citizens..Italy and everyone who paid to see this and did nothing, hang your head in shame..

Dave, Sale, Cheshire

Stefano, UK


'I tihnk that we have opened up our borders without thinking about who may come in and if they hold the same moral principles as ourselves. Judging by this story, the answer is definately No!!!'

......... ???

Are you talking about opening borders up to include ITALY?

You do realise this despicable crime was perpetrated by an 'Italian FAMILY' !!!

As comments from other people from Eastern Europe have stated MANY people are made promises to come to countries for labour and forced into menial tasks, slavery, prostitution etc.

Stefano I DON'T think you'd like your female relations such as your sisters, wife/girlfriend, mother, daughter etc to be treated in this way or would you ???

... If you would NOT like this to happen to people close to you then WHY blame the origins of the helpless VICTIMS in this case instead of THE COLD BLOODED MONEY HUNGRY PARASITES ?

Please DON'T defend such barbarism JUST because you may be Italian. Makes you JUST AS BAD!

Ayaz, Wakefield, England

"The incident appeared to be something out of the 19th century but showed that slavery was still very much a reality in modern Italy". It is very interesting to see that this quoted "reality" is so common in the country which is at the centre of the Catholic religion.

I'm wondering just how many "Good Catholics" turn a blind eye to such ubiquitous violations of basic human rights. I think the real "Jesus" would be more concerned about these human rights violations than he would about things like gay marriage & contraception, so perhaps the Vatican should look a bit closer to home and help to promote Christian values among those just beyond their doorstep.

Nathan Bliss, Luton, UK

What is so depressing, more than anything, is the fact that such things can even happen, that people could have SO little "civilisation" in them as to even think of doing something like that (the owners - who, I hope, won't have to worry about their "upkeep" for a long time... - and the people who paid money to see something like that ) - I mean in Europe, in the 21th century...?!

And BTW, I do hope some of the comments above are jokes (even though really inappropriate ones).
Or maybe some people don't even know what "piranha" means...

V., Ljubljana, Slovenia

Personnally I do not like circuses either and particularly I do not like clowns (a recent British study revealed in general children do not like them either). Lastly there is no comparison between the potential or real mass murderers incarcerated in Guananamo Bay and these Bulgarian victims being tortured by sadistic circus owners for money.

michael scott, bordeaux, france

What worries me is the number of people who must have gone to see the show over the last three months and never complained or reported the circus owners to the police. Maybe they were taken in by the "act" but either way they were accomplices to the crime as these circus owners presumably only entrapped the teenage girls in these situations to make money and draw the crowds. At least there was one honest spectator among them!

MB, Edinburgh,

All the result of when people drop the Bible for complete liberalism and and seek pleasure and advancement for the "self' at the disregart for others. Yes there are some bad christians or people that profess to be bechristian that stumble but the message of god is what lifted man and western civilization out of the dark ages

olan, ft worth, texas

It's very sad that people do this to others. Our world is morally bankrupt.

Stuart, Dallas, TX

This is horrible, and a reminder that as human beings, we still have far to go in respect to human rights. We must remember, however, that world history is filled with much worse and widespread horror. The Romans feeding people to animals for entertainment, raping and piliaging entire towns during invasions, the Holocaust. The world IS becoming a better place, just not fast enough.

Karen Ivey, Jacksonville, USA

jayil,
"Humans all over the world are getting out of control."

Don't you know human history? Torture, cruelty and barabarism have always been the norm since the dawn of man.

I disagree that we are getting worse. I think that although we are getting better, it is not unreasonable to expect more progress in how we treat each other.

Mike, Dover, Deleware, USA

As long as she is not cut or bleeding there should be not danger. BUT having said that I dont approve of it either.

Moishe Goldstein, Kansas City, MO

where is humanity ? It is a shame for modern people

Jp king , changsha , China

jayil, humans have been doing this to each other for a long time. its no recent development, look at what was done to christians in Roman times, or during the spanish inquisition. while yes it is an attrocity that this should happen in these "MODERN" times, but it still does. We should be happy that these people were caught before one of these girls got killed. and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. its sad that things like this still go on but they do and it only goes to show that we, as humans, are no less barbaric now than we were in past.

Augustine, dallas, texas

It's because people have lost the sense of dignity all humans have as being created in the image of God. If we are simply products of evolution, simply a more complex set of cells, then there is not inherent value, dignity in humans demanding that we treat each other with care consistent with that dignity.

Rich, Lusby, MD, USA

These cruel individuals should be deported back to where they came from. There is no place for them in a civilised society.

Elisa, Naples, Italy

Of course rights were violated by the circus There are others who are responsible. Bulgarians do not protect their innocent people from human trafficking. High levels of corruption make it undesirable to remain in Bulgaria. Bulgarian living conditions contribute to this problem. Unless the people take control, corrupt officials will simply take advantage of the innocent. Justice becomes impossible. Freedom does not exist. How long will it take to change this?

Jay, Chicago, USA

This is a terrible story. I hope that they make a full recovery, and that the circus owners receive full justice for their abominable actions.
Nevertheless this must surely be a very bizarre one-off case. The fact that thousands of girls are trapped in 'civilised' countries in western europe as slaves for sex should be equally as shocking, and is far more common. It is something that the Victorians would have been crusading against but which the 21st century police, in the UK at least, seem very laissez faire towards. Somehow when something involves women & sex, the police turn a blind eye - look at the rape convictyions.
Women make up more than 50% of the population but are being badly let down by the authorities. A government that could tackle these issues effectively would be a refreshing, and popular change.

V, London, UK

How many saw this circus before someone called the police?

At least our carny workers over here are well fed, teeth or no teef

Dick, Miami, Fl

Those women were physically forced to do something against their will, Paul from London. The point is they didn't want to do it!

Rose Byrne, London,

I am british but have lived in bulgaria for ten years. This stroy is very sad andshows that people can sink to very low standards of behaviour indeed. We should also consider that if we prevent people from the right to live and work legally then economic emigration puts people outside the protection of the law and allows wicked locals to treat them as second class citzens.

andy anderson, rousse, bulgaria

(to Paul from London) The issue is *slavery*, not the relative harmfulness of the piranhas. This family was manipulated and abused, and the circus owners must be held accountable. Anyone who is not outraged by the circus owner's behavior has serious character flaws.

Scott, Dayton, Ohio

Incredibly sad. I just hope at some point these girls are able to live some semblance of a normal life. I wonder how many went to see this atrocity exhibition and did nothing? Sad commentary on our society at large.

Danny, Statesville, USA

Paul, London - that was you being cynical, right? About not getting carried away about some scum forcing an innocent 19 year old girl into a tank of freezing water with piranhas swimming in it? Not to speak of the tumour on her ear?!

Alan Starr, London, UK

Paul, London. You are completely missing the point of this article, unless you are being facetious - which I doubt. The family were held as slaves, it doesn't matter if they were forced to perform with harmless fish/animals or poisonous snakes - the outcome is the same. Barbaric treatment is just that - the means don't come into it.

Genie, Leeds,

I think the hardest thing of all is to understand how the owners could make another human suffer like this. It is just evidence of this worlds slide into depravity. The fact that other people went to watch this as ' entertainment' just adds further to my belief that the we all need to take a good hard look at ourselves and the way we are. I just pray that the family manages to come out of this situation and be OK.

SUSIE, Hove,

Have we lost our minds and sense of compassion! These are human beings ... !

I am so sorry that people live in such conditions - thank you for rescuing them from their living nightmares ...!

Joyce Mitchell, Middlesex, England

Yuck.
Generally I hate circuses.
I saw a great one once though where all the animals were house cats and little dogs, and the whole act was a family. It was really wonderful.

Mike, Seattle, USA

A reminder of the old Roman spectacles is it not? Just shows that there is money to be made at the potential suffering of people and there are those that will take advantage of others to fulfill that human bloodlust. Maybe we humans haven't come as far as we would like to believe in the last 2 or 3 thousands years.

James, Madison, USA

Why are we so worried about somebody swimming with piranhas when it is legal to have detainees in Guantanamo Bay??
Where is the European Union when we need them???

chris, haren, holland

Animals have more rights than these poor people do!

Jodi, Buffalo NY

Jodi, Lakeview, NY

Hang on a minute......they were paid £78 a week plus their upkeep!

Sounds like a fuss over nothing if you ask me.

stewart , leeds, uk

Piranhas, snakes and tarantulas?

Sounds like some roommate/manager situations I have endured.

Seriously, human trafficking and the "slave/master" syndrome is, I'm afraid, not as rare as people think...

The world has run amok; some people are no better than animals perhaps even worse and others think they are godlike--above the rule of law.

Where does this situation land us?

Elan Durham, Santa Monica, CA/US

Shocking and appaling. Thank the powers that be these poor people were rescued.

m, harrogate,

These things did not ever happen in the Countries behind the Iron Curtain, or in Yugoslavia. With the end of the Comunisam or Socialisam , decent and secure life has been substituted for the slavery in this form , or in another form - of endless working days and very little spare time. Is the so called Democracy with the hgher living standard worth it.

Nikola Budišin M.D., Novi Sad, Serbia

I'd pay good money to see entertainment like this. Does anyone know of any similar shows in Europe?

Jaques, Chamonix, France

disgusting behaviour.

rosheen, Hull,

And what about the other animals? Just as abused, I would say. Violence, intimidation, incarceration and fear is part of the circus world vis a vis non humans. That should not be a surprise as humans always take advantage of those weaker and unable to speak for themselves or have an advocate to do so. Research has shown that significantly frequently, murderers start their 'training' on animals.

helen, Norwich,

Disgusting.

Farrukh, Woking, UK

I agree with above statement of Jayil. It is so cruel that one can not even imagine it could be true. The more people follow desire, the less it is obvious which desires should be followed and which not. Commercials and movies clearly show that there is no distinction between what to follow and what not. So some get identified by enjoying in harming, some others with something else. And it is on us to be a real example and to give others inspiration to live in respect of others needs.

Mirjana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Paul, London - choice man, choice. She was kidnapped and forced to do this. You were stupid enough to do it by choice. Get a grip.

dominic, Teddington, Middlesex,

Jayil - Please, pick up a history book. The world was far more barbaric 30 years ago even more barbaric 300 years ago and most definitely yet more so 3,000 years ago.

Try and have a sense of perspective

Cliff, Marseille,

Italian courts,

Please, please, please don't do what our courts in the UK do - give them light sentences and let them out after they serve a third of their time.

Punish these 'men' severely and send a message that this type of barbarity will not be tolerated in a civilised society.

Thank you.

John, London,

Unbelievable. People are slowly losing compassion towards another human being. After a few more years I think there will be two kinds of relationships - Hate and no Hate.. No sign of any love between people. All driven by material wealth !

Ashwin, Bristol,

This is so sad! I can't believe that no one else notified authorities any sooner. I can't even imagine what this poor family has gone through and will continue to go through to recover from the mental, physical, and emotional trauma. The men that did this should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. (Great idea... Albert) These men knew exactly what they were doing... this is just horrible. We should all pray that this family finds peace in their hearts and minds!

Rachel, Hurst, Texas, USA

This is just disgraceful. Not only the sadistic treatment, but that people paid to come and watch this without, until now, reporting it to the authorities. It seems the spirit of the gladiator's audiences is with us still and who knows how many other horrors are going on, unreported?

The only bright note is that this was found out and maybe, just maybe, the authorities willingness to act will put other such 'entrepreneurs' off the idea of making a life from the abuse of others.

G Davidson, Kashiwa, Japan

I saw the show i thought it was excellent!

Nick, london,

Thanks Jayil for your interesting view on this story. Robocops are clearly the best solution.

Chris, London,

Robocop would just be a bandaid -- We need SkyNet !!!

Joseph, Tennessee, USA

Let's not get too carried away people. Piranhas are effectively harmless - I've enjoyed many a swim in the depths of the Amazon jungle in the same rivers and creeks we fished for piranhas in.

Paul, London,

Robocop would just be a bandaid -- We need SkyNet !!!

Joseph, Tennessee, USA

Stefano, I think you have isread the article. The "slaves" were bulgarian. Looking at the names the people who did this to them were italian. Go back to reading the sun!

han, london,

an eye for an eye would make the whole world blind. gandhi

jess, Oxford, England

Isn't the common market great - it allows virtually uncontrolled activity of this sort by criminal folk who were small fish in small ponds and are now offered supported immigration and access to all sorts of business grants, aid and protection. The police are "investigating". Brilliant. Until their powers are restored that's all they'll ever be able to do.

Sean, Coventry, UK

Not to dosparage all cicuses.or circus people,many of whom have developed stounding capabilities.But there's nothing new about people being entrapped as cicus performers.Freaks, were sold to circuses and Animals abused.
The amount of human depravity in the wrld probably isn't changed by high speed cmmunicatin,it's just that we hear abut things that happen ,almost instantly. We are hard wired to respond to emergencies with a flight or fight response,so it's natural that stories about violence trigger our attention. Kindness and understanding don't cause such an energetically large response. We haven't really adapted to our technological capacities This is the story on many levels,we've rapidly devloped immense technological capablities that change how we physically functio in the world,and we have adapted,emotionally intellectually,politically ,socially We haven't begun to understand our impact,or how to design our tools well,We're like the Sorcerer's Apprenice

Emmet Kelly, Baraboo , Wisconsin

These men should never be allowed to see the light of day for the rest of their miserable lives. Prison is too good for them.

But first, of course, they should have their day in court. Everyone is entitled to due process of law, whatever they might have done.

James Deppeler, Jr., Brielle, New Jersey, USA

This is just so sad. God bless these girls

Thomas, London,

I tihnk that we have opened up our borders without thinking about who may come in and if they hold the same moral principles as ourselves. Judging by this story, the answer is definately No!!!

Stefano, Liverpool, UK

These people should be forced to experience the same torture inflicted on the Bulgarian family. Eye for an eye is always a good deterrent to such abhorrent behavior.

Albert, Indianapolis, USA

I can't figure out what's crazier, the story or Jayil from London's Robo-Cop comment.

bob, atlanta, usa

I agree with jayil. Human depravity is on the rise all over the world. It has always been part of the human condition, but I believe the Internet has allowed for the viral transmission of violence and debauchery like never before. If you think I'm overstating things you are either in deep denial or just not paying attention.

Steve, New York City, USA

This story reminds me of robocop the movie. Humans all over the world are getting out of control. I've read stories after stories of humans treating other humans with such cruel and barbaric behavior. Humanity is slowly becoming extinct. We will soon need an army of robocops to take the law into their own hands. The world is overcrowded with so much misery. This may sound fictitious, but some movies are a way ahead of our time.

jayil, london, uk

Hi guys,

I am not really sure if the Bulgarians were illegal immigrants in Italy because Bulgaria is a state of the EU!
I am bulgarian and know those work and travel agencies that hire young people interested to meet another cultures and travel across the world. The promisses are really big but sometimes it appears to be a lie. Everyone who forces humans to be slaves should be convicted. Unfortunately I've heard many such stories lately.Unfortunately a lot of them happened in Italy. But why?

Ivailo, Essen, Germany

This is outrageous!!

Andrew, Birmingham, UK