Trafficking case over two belly dancers

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Appeal ruling is due on 27 October in the High Criminal Court of Appeal in a trafficking case over two belly dancers.

A lower court jailed an Arab businesswoman for three years and fined her BD2,000; two Asian co-defendants received one year each and BD2,000 apiece.

The court ordered the trio to pay the cost of repatriating one victim and ruled that all three be deported after serving their sentences.

The case concerns two young women of the same Arab nationality who were brought to Bahrain to perform at a hotel restaurant.

Passports

Their passports were taken. They were made to sit with customers, dress up for them and drink alcohol.

Pay was withheld and money was docked for grooming. Their freedom was restricted.

The first victim said she arrived in Bahrain through a third witness to work for the first defendant at a nightclub.

The second defendant met her and took her to a hotel, where she met the first defendant and agreed working hours.

Long shifts

days off, compulsory deductions for make-up and attire so she could sit with customers against her will, and the drinking of alcohol without consent.

The suspect and the second witness were locked in a room with a metal lock by the second and third defendants on the first defendant’s instructions.

The third witness, an Arab who sources performers, said the first defendant asked him to bring dancers for her venue, which led to the arrival of the two witnesses. He said the first witness later told him she was working long hours without wages or a share of tips.