MORE than 30 women were allegedly held captive in various apartments by a gang of human traffickers, who sold some of them for BD600.
Five people are standing trial in connection with the case at the High Criminal Court, which has charged them with trafficking, holding the victims captive and forcing them into prostitution.
The Three Thai women and two men, including a Bahraini and a Bangladeshi, have however denied the charges.
According to court documents, a 35-year-old Thai woman, nicknamed ‘Meow’, and her Bahraini boyfriend, held more than 30 victims against their will in apartments and hotel rooms in Manama last year. She was assisted by her Thai co-defendant, nicknamed ‘Oumam’, who allegedly sold some of the women to other female pimps for BD600 each.
Three of their victims, who were rescued, told prosecutors that the alleged female pimps held them captive for months and incited them into prostitution. One of them, also a Thai national, managed to alert authorities about her ordeal after escaping from a hotel in Juffair in December.
“I come from a poor family and I came to work in Bahrain,” she said in her statement to prosecutors.
“A Thai woman offered me BD30 for each customer. I needed the money and agreed to meet her.
“I do not know her name as she only introduced herself as ‘Meow’. She said she would give me food and a place to stay but demanded a one-time payment of BD1,800 in return. I did not have enough customers and could not give her the money.
“She locked me up in an apartment and said she will let me free only if I gave her the money.
“I realised that there were at least 30 women like me held captive in various apartments.”
The woman claimed that she was sold to two other female pimps, who also held her against her will.
Meanwhile, the Bahraini man said he could not turn down his girlfriend Meow’s offer to be a part of the illicit ring as he loved her.
“I met her (35-year-old Thai woman) at a club and fell in love with her,” he told prosecutors.
“I soon learnt that she was a prostitute, but I loved her so we continued our relationship. She was my weakness and I didn’t realise what I was doing until I was arrested.”
The trial has been adjourned until Monday for review.
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