Three men are on trial for allegedly trafficking two women, luring them with promises of well-paying jobs in Bahrain but instead coercing them into prostitution.
The Pakistani expats have been charged by the High Criminal Court with forcing their victims to enter the vice trade through threats and manipulation.
“The suspects exploited the women’s poverty, their dire financial situation and their severe need for money,” a detective earlier told prosecutors.
“They were the ones who secured the tickets and tourist visas for the victims, then housed them here and solicited pleasure-seeking customers online.”
A 22-year-old Pakistani woman – an alleged victim – said she contacted one of the defendants after she learned from a friend that he could help her immigrate to Bahrain.
She had reportedly found a vacancy to work as a domestic worker, and one of the suspects promised to give her a loan so she could afford immigration costs.
“My friend told me that there were work opportunities in Bahrain and that I had to pay BD1,200 to an agency. I was also told that I would earn BD270 per month as a housemaid,” she said.
“I told her I didn’t have enough money, and she said there was someone who would pay that amount for me, on the condition that my salary would be halved to BD135.
“I agreed and I was received at the airport by an Asian man. After arriving at an apartment, I was held captive and forced to have sex with customers. My captor – the first defendant – received instructions from his boss – the second defendant – and took the earnings on his behalf. I did not receive any money.”
The other alleged victim, aged 38, worked at a beauty parlour in Pakistan, according to her testimony at the Public Prosecution.
“One of the salon employees told me that there was a work opportunity at a salon in Bahrain and that the second defendant had an office where he arranged such matters,” she said.
“I contacted him and sent him BD450, along with a copy of my passport. When I arrived, the second defendant received me, and he was accompanied by a woman and two men.
“They took me to an apartment and didn’t let me leave. They said they’d set me free if I paid them BD450, but I didn’t have that amount of money, so they forced me into prostitution.”
She said the third defendant was tasked with bringing in ‘customers’, while the first defendant’s role was limited to collecting the money.
The first defendant claimed he was acting on his co-defendants’ instructions, saying his job was to ‘bring food to the girls’ and drive them to various buildings to have sex with clients. He admitted receiving a BD5 commission for managing the women.
Meanwhile, the second defendant said he was assisting the third, whose role was to stand outside the apartments to watch and guard the victims.
In addition to sex trafficking charges, the three Pakistani nationals were accused of depriving the victims of their freedom for profit and relying on income generated from exploiting the women. The trial continues.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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