Three-year jail term for human traffickers upheld

The Dubai Court of Appeal upheld a three-year jail sentence for seven people found guilty of human trafficking and running a prostitution den.

The seven accused include two Emiratis MMH and AOA; two Indians DBJ and VS; two Bangladeshis MAH and JHD and MAA, who has no documentation.

The Court also upheld an acquittal verdict awarded to an eight accused identified as MJB, Emirati.

The sentences will be followed by deportation for the expatriate convicts.

The court also acquitted of the eight of accusations of assaulting a policeman, threat to kill, and threat to damage police cars and private and public property.

Dubai Prosecution had appealed the sentences awarded on June 15 by the First Instance Court, asking for stiffer penalties.

The accused had been arrested on February 26 by Al the Muraqqabat Police following a complaint made by a Nepali housemaid LJ to her consulate.

According to the Prosecution the housemaid was picked up from the airport by one of the accused who took her to a flat run as a brothel and was forced by the accused to have sex with men.

She testified that she was forced to please 25 men every day.