Two Asian Women Trapped in Bahrain, Forced to Dance in Nightclubs After Being Lured with Fake Job Offers

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

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Two Asian women, driven by dire financial circumstances, were lured to Bahrain with promises of work as waitresses, only to find themselves imprisoned and forced into dancing at nightclubs. The victims, who traveled from their home country to Bahrain, were tricked by a man who, in collaboration with his associates, exploited their vulnerabilities and forced them into a life of exploitation.

The case unfolded when the first victim, facing financial hardship and desperate to support her family, was contacted by an unknown woman who offered her a waitress position in Bahrain with a salary ranging from 160 to 330 Bahraini Dinars. The woman, unaware of the deception, readily accepted the offer.

The unknown woman then coordinated with the defendant, a Bahraini man, to arrange the victim's travel expenses, taking advantage of her financial struggles. Upon arriving at Bahrain International Airport, the defendant greeted the victim and took her to his apartment.

The following day, the defendant revealed his true intentions, demanding the victim work as a dancer at a nightclub. He provided her with clothes and makeup, but the victim refused, citing the agreement for a waitress position. She contacted the unknown woman, who responded with threats and demands to obey the defendant. The woman then blocked the victim's phone number on WhatsApp, confirming the deception and her complicity with the defendant.

Fearing for her safety, the victim was forced to comply with the defendant's demands. She was taken to a nightclub and forced to dance from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM. This pattern continued for days, with the defendant moving her to different hotels and forcing her to dance for 7-8 hours daily. After each shift, she was confined to the defendant's apartment, unable to leave. The defendant, with the help of an accomplice, would lock the apartment and monitor her movements.

The defendant subjected the victim to physical abuse, punching and kicking her in the face, stomach, and back, and pulling her hair. He also pressured her to engage with customers and threatened her with further violence when she refused. He confiscated her phone to prevent her from reporting the abuse.

Despite multiple escape attempts, the victim remained trapped due to fear of the defendant. She was forced to dance without receiving any payment, as the defendant collected her earnings from the nightclub managers. The defendant provided her with minimal food, only offering biscuits, tea, and water.

The defendant, along with the unknown woman, also lured a second victim, using the same tactics and exploiting her financial hardship. The second victim was also forced into dancing at nightclubs and confined to the defendant's apartment.

However, the second victim managed to contact the police, and before they arrived, she informed the defendant. Enraged, the defendant assaulted both victims, but they managed to escape the apartment and were met by the police outside.

An investigation by the Human Trafficking and Public Morality Protection Department revealed the defendant's involvement in the exploitation of the two women.

The High Appeals Court scheduled a hearing for September 30th to deliver its verdict on the defendant's appeal against the initial five-year prison sentence, a 2,000 Bahraini dinars fine, the cost of returning the victims to their home country, and his permanent banishment from Bahrain after serving his sentence.