Court Jails Belly Dancers’ Abusers

TDT | Manama

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The First High Criminal Court has handed down a landmark ruling in a human trafficking case involving two young Arab women brought to Bahrain to work as belly dancers, sentencing three defendants to prison, imposing fines, and ordering their deportation after serving their terms.

The court sentenced the first defendant, an Arab businesswoman, to three years in prison and a fine of BD2,000, while the second and third defendants, both Asians, received one year each and identical fines. All three were ordered to cover the victims’ repatriation costs and will be permanently deported upon release.

According to the Public Prosecution, the defendants trafficked the two belly dancers by receiving, transporting, and sheltering them in circumstances where their consent was not valid, exploiting them in forced labour. They were made to work long hours without pay or days off, in unsuitable conditions, and forced to entertain customers under threat and close monitoring.

Victims’ ordeal

Testimonies revealed the victims, aged 21 and 22, had been recruited to work at a nightclub owned by the first defendant. Upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were subjected to excessive work hours, salary deductions for makeup, and forced consumption of alcohol. They were locked in a hotel room by the second and third defendants, following instructions from the first defendant.

A third witness, an Arab man in the entertainment industry, confirmed he had brought the belly dancers to Bahrain at the businesswoman’s request. He later learned they were working without pay and being mistreated, prompting him to advise one victim to file a police complaint.

Strong stance

An Interior Ministry officer testified that investigations showed the victims were denied their wages and tips, fined for requesting time off, and physically prevented from leaving. The case highlights the judiciary’s commitment to punishing offenders and protecting vulnerable workers and sends a clear deterrent message to exploiters.