Young woman’s dream of modelling turns into a fight for survival

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: ashen@newsofbahrain.com

Becoming a top model was her dream. When she arrived in the Kingdom, she believed she was on the brink of making it a reality. However, the two women who posed as her mentors had far more sinister plans.

Unbeknownst to the young woman, she had fallen into the clutches of an elaborate sex trafficking ring. By the time she realised the truth, her world had already collapsed.

This is the core of a case currently under review by the High Appeals Court, scheduled for a hearing on October 7th.

In a courageous move, the victim managed to expose the network, despite fearing for her life. She contacted her embassy, which then alerted the anti-human trafficking department, leading to the network’s downfall.

The initial trial ended with prison sentences and fines of varying degrees for the perpetrators. Now, one of the defendants is appealing a 10-year prison sentence, a fine of 2,000 dinars, deportation, and the costs of the victim’s repatriation.

According to court documents, the victim was lured to Bahrain under the false promise of a modelling job by the first defendant.

Upon her arrival, the second suspect met her at the airport and escorted her to a hotel. It was only then that the first defendant revealed the true nature of the work—prostitution. The victim’s passport was confiscated, and she was moved to an apartment in the same hotel, where she was kept under constant watch by the second suspect.

Once she realised, she had been deceived, the victim was threatened with imprisonment if she refused to engage in prostitution. The first defendant allegedly demanded $2,500 for her safe return home, threatening to plant drugs in her belongings and report her to the authorities if she didn’t comply.

In fear for her safety, the victim reached out to her embassy, which immediately involved the anti-human trafficking department. In 2023, the Public Prosecution charged both suspects with human trafficking, accusing them of luring, transporting, housing, and coercing the victim for sexual exploitation, while profiting from her forced prostitution.

The prosecution also revealed that the defendants relied on the income generated from the victim and others trapped in their operation.