THREE THAI women who allegedly bought and sold sex slaves are on trial for trafficking four fellow national jobseekers, keeping them captive and profiting off their forced prostitution.
A fourth co-defendant, the 22-year-old son of the defendant accused of buying the four sex trafficking victims, is also standing trial at the High Criminal Court.
The four suspects have been charged with coercing the women into the vice trade through force and threats, making a living off of the illegal labour, and depriving them of their freedom.
According to a policeman, the first defendant purchased the victims from ‘sex brokers’ – the second and third defendants – who lure victims into coming to Bahrain through promises of well-paying legitimate jobs.
One of the victims testified to the Public Prosecution about the trickery. “I saw an ad on Facebook, for a job where you sit with customers in nightclubs, with a salary of BD2,600,” the Thai woman said.
“I really liked the job offer so I contacted the person who put up the advertisement, then I came to Bahrain, where I was taken to the first defendant’s apartment.
“As soon as I got there, she made me sign a document saying that I owed her BD2,600, and was told that I wasn’t allowed to leave the building except to go to the club.
“Her son, the fourth defendant, took us to several places to offer sexual services. He always kept watch and collected the money we earned.”
A police investigation reportedly found that the first defendant, aged 41, managed a group of women who she allegedly coerced into prostitution.
“The suspect bought these victims from sex brokers, who trick women into coming to Bahrain through Internet ads for attractive job vacancies,” the Bahraini police officer said.
“Her son, who is under her command, solicits customers for the victims, assigns them to clients, collects money they receive for their services, and hides their passports.
“They are also being made to pay an extra BD75 for rent and food, and they have to keep working in order to pay off these fees.”
He added that the victims were sent to different clubs, and they were unable to reject the sex work due to the supposed debt the suspect convinced them that they owed.
Meanwhile, the second and third defendants, aged 51 and 42 respectively, also face accusations of luring the women before selling them to pimps.
The third defendant was reportedly the person behind the Facebook advertisement which the victims responded to.
The trial was adjourned to Tuesday.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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