Man, woman on trial in UAE for trafficking, running brothel

An Asian man and a woman stood trial at the Sharjah Shariah Court on Monday, charged with human trafficking and forcing two Pakistani women into prostitution.
Both the accused denied the charges at the court.
One of the victims, 20-year-old A.B., told the presiding judge that the woman accused, identified as M.J., brought her from Pakistan on visit visa after offering her a job at a ladies saloon.
Upon her arrival at the airport, M.J. took her to a flat in the Butaina area of Sharjah and locked her up, she told the court. Both the accused beat her up and threatened her, forcing her into prostitution. They brought unknown men to sleep with her and the second suspect collected money. He also forced her to have sex with him, she said, adding that the suspects were running the prostitution den with another fugitive woman. A.B. was locked up in the room for 52 days, the court heard.
The second victim, 22-year-old A.Y., also had similar experiences like A.B. Both the victims told the court that they were beaten up by the accused, who threatened them of more assault if they didn't listen to his orders. They cried and begged to the accused to give their passports back and let them return home, upon which they faced further physical assault, they told the court.
During the hearing, the victims broke into tears while describing the hardships they had to face.
The accused told the judge that he had been living in the UAE for 15 years and he didn't know any of the victims. M.J. repeated the same.
The judge adjourned the case and asked the Ministry of Justice to assign a lawyer for the woman suspect. The judge was informed by the prosecution that a third suspect, another woman, was deported earlier.
Now, both the victims are staying at the Abu Dhabi Women's Shelter where they are provided with full support from authorities.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Amira Agarib

amira@khaleejtimes.com