A Dubai businessman was part of a human-trafficking network luring teenage Bangladeshi girls to the UAE to work as prostitutes in his nightclub, a court heard.
The club owner was one of five men, also from Bangladesh and aged between 20 and 39, accused of enticing the girls to leave their homeland by promising them jobs to help support their impoverished families.
But when they arrived in Dubai, after having their passports altered by the gang to make them appear older, they were made to work as dancers at the night spot in Al Muraqqabat before being forced into prostitution, Dubai Criminal Court was told.
Prosecutors said that police set up an undercover operation in March this year after being tipped off about a young girl being forced to sell her body by the club owner.
A police officer went undercover as a customer, arranging with the accused to have sex with one of the girls.
Police then raided the premises and found 18 females working as dancers and prostitutes, including the four girls, aged between 16 and 18.
The four were referred to Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for support.
“I agreed to come work as dancer not a prostitute but I couldn’t do anything because I am supporting a family of 10 back home,” one of the victims, 17, said in a statement to the court.
The defendants chose girls with difficult financial situations, changed their passports and arranged and paid for their travel.
The five defendants were charged with human trafficking, which they denied in court.
The case was adjourned until June 18.
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When: Tuesday, 10.45pm
Live on beIN Sports HD
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Number of tracks: 11
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
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