A Victorian man is facing blackmail and human trafficking-related charges over allegations he tricked his then-wife into leaving the country before divorcing her.
Corey Salvemini, 46, appeared before the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, after he was charged with exit trafficking and blackmail in May.
Police will allege the Shepparton man “deceived” his then-wife into travelling overseas in mid-2021, before sending her messages saying he was divorcing her and she couldn’t return home.
The woman allegedly returned to Australia in December that year to find her belongings had been removed from the home they once shared.
It will be alleged Mr Salvemini then attempted to blackmail her by sending messages demanding money and threatening to have her deported if she did not pay him back for visa expenses.
The woman allegedly had no indication when she departed Australia that the man wished to end their marriage.
Announcing the charges in June, Australian Federal Police detective superintendent Simone Butcher said it was only the second time exit trafficking charges had been laid in Victoria.
“No one has the right to force or deceive anyone to leave Australia, or to prevent them from returning against their will,” she said.
“No one has the right to cancel another person’s visa, including the visa sponsor.
“We are calling on the community to help bring these often hidden crimes out of the shadows.”
In court, Mr Salvemini’s lawyer Domenic Care requested the matter be adjourned for six weeks and be transferred to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
“The defence seeks further time to go through the materials with Mr Salvemini, as he has only recently changed lawyers,” he said.
He told the court his client lived in Shepparton and the offences were alleged to have occurred in the northern Victorian city, but they wanted it transferred as the complainant and other witnesses lived in Melbourne.
This was granted by Magistrate Simon Zebrowski and will return to court in Melbourne in September.
