Sex-slaves probe
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 7 February 2007
OFFICIALS from four embassies were yesterday conducting their own investigations on whether some of the 10 Asian women rescued by police in a series of raids on suspected brothels are from their countries.
The Indonesian, Indian and Bangladeshi embassies in Bahrain and the Kuwait-based Sri Lankan Embassy’s local representative said that none of them were informed of the pre-dawn vice raids carried out by police on Monday.
The Philippine Embassy tipped off police on Sunday after a Filipina blew the whistle on the racket after escaping.
Sex-slaves probe
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 7 February 2007
OFFICIALS from four embassies were yesterday conducting their own investigations on whether some of the 10 Asian women rescued by police in a series of raids on suspected brothels are from their countries.
The Indonesian, Indian and Bangladeshi embassies in Bahrain and the Kuwait-based Sri Lankan Embassy’s local representative said that none of them were informed of the pre-dawn vice raids carried out by police on Monday.
The Philippine Embassy tipped off police on Sunday after a Filipina blew the whistle on the racket after escaping.
The Bangladeshi Embassy said it was also going to look into allegations made that most of the eight men arrested for forcing the women into prostitution were Bangladeshis, including one suspected of being the “main pimp”.
“The embassy respects Bahrain’s laws and we have faith in the law that it will take its own course,” said first secretary Shameem Almamun.
“We are aware of this case but to date no one has confirmed to us that some of the women rescued or men arrested are Bangladeshis.
“However, we believe that no innocent person must be harassed and if someone is guilty then it is up to the law of the land, this much I can say.”
Sources close to the police told the GDN that at least 10 Asian women were rescued in the early morning raids on Monday, including four Bangladeshis, a Filipina and a Sri Lankan.
Another source said that they also included Indian and Indonesian women.
“All of them are currently being given shelter at the Asry Police Station,” he added.
“The women have not been arrested, but because the police investigation is ongoing they are still being questioned.
“They are being kept in a room, not a jail cell.
“It is for their protection.”
Indonesian Embassy attaché Ahmed Sayfuddin said that he was not aware if any of the women rescued was from his country.
“We have not been informed by the police,” he said.
Indian and Sri Lankan Embassy officials had given similar statements after being contacted by the GDN.
Philippine Embassy assistance-to-nationals officer-in-charge and consular attaché Ramon Nerida said that requests made by the embassy to release the two Filipinas under its care were put on hold yesterday.
He said he was to issue another request today.
“I was told that while the investigations are ongoing, the women will remain under police custody,” he said.
“They are at the Asry Detention Centre, but not in the cells, more like in the administration section.
“We received word (from police) that they rescued 10 women, and have 11, including the 34-year-old Filipina who escaped on Saturday, in their custody.”
The women were reportedly forced to have sex with men on a daily basis in separate rooftop flats in the area.
The other Filipina, believed to be aged 20, was described by embassy officials as “battered and bleeding” when she was brought in at about 1.30am at the Gudaibiya Police Station.
Sources said the women were locked indoors and severely beaten when they refused to have sex with customers.
The “pimps” reportedly preyed on Asian women in and around Gudaibiya, particularly runaway housemaids.
Philippine Embassy labour attaché Alejandro Santos confirmed that the two Filipinas were housemaids who had run away from their sponsors.
© Gulf Daily News