Two Arab defendants face trial for human trafficking

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The High Criminal Court has begun hearing a case involving two Arab defendants accused of trafficking two women, both aged 23. During a hearing held yesterday, both defendants denied the charges brought against them.

The female defendant told the court that she had arrived in Bahrain only six days earlier and did not know anyone in the country, a claim supported by the first defendant.

Review

The court adjourned the case to 19 January to allow the defence to review and respond to the case file, authorised the provision of copies of the case documents, and appointed a lawyer to represent the second defendant.

The court also ordered the continued detention of both defendants. According to the Public Prosecution, the first defendant, aged 51, and the second defendant, aged 36, are accused of trafficking the two victims by recruiting, transporting, receiving, harbouring and moving them through illegal means, with the intent of exploiting them in prostitution for financial gain.

Detention

Prosecutors said the defendants unlawfully detained the victims, coerced them through threats, deception and force, and relied entirely on the proceeds generated from the victims’ activities.

In her testimony, the first victim said that while in her home country she had seen a Facebook advertisement offering employment in Bahrain as a restaurant worker.

She contacted the first defendant and agreed to the job. Around the same time, the second victim informed her that she had also found a work opportunity in Bahrain, and arrangements were made by the defendants for both women to travel.

She added that upon their arrival, they were met at Bahrain International Airport by the first defendant accompanied by an Asian national driver.