Dubai - Arabstoday
A woman trafficked and forced a female compatriot into flesh trade and an accomplice physically abused the victim as well. Prosecutors on Thursday charged JF, 33, a Filipina, with human trafficking on Sept.7 last year. “JF exploited the victim’s financial situation and an urgent need for a job. She lied about an available job opportunity and forced her into prostitution,” said prosecutors. JF allegedly operated a brothel inside an apartment in Bur Dubai’s Al Satwa area. The second suspect SR, 31, a Pakistani driver, was charged with indecently assaulting the victim, identified as CD, 31, a Filipina visitor. However, JF denied operating a brothel and presented a waiver she claimed to have acquired from the victim. “CD dropped the charges against me,” she told Judge Hamad Abdul Jawwad at the Dubai Criminal Court. SR also denied physical abuse. The case has been adjourned till May 4 to authorise a lawyer for JF. Meanwhile, CD testified that she came to know the suspects though a social networking site and JF later convinced her that she would work as a saleswoman. “After having arrived on a visit visa, JF withheld my passport and put me under confinement and demanded Dhs20,000 she had spent on my travel. “She threatened that I would never see my family again,” narrated CD, adding that with the no possibility of escape she agreed to work her as a prostitute. CD was compelled 11 times to sleep with customers inside the apartment. SR forcibly abused her as well. “Besides, JF willingly slept with different persons for money,” CD added. However, she reportedly managed to escape while JF was asleep. A number of text messages and objectionable photos were seized following the arrest of the suspects.