DUBAI // A brothel manager who lured her compatriot to the country before forcing her into prostitution was yesterday sentenced to three years in prison.
The 33-year-old Filipina JF, a maid according to her visa, ran a brothel at an apartment in Al Satwa. She met her compatriot SD, 31, on Facebook before imploring her to come to the UAE promising to find her job in Dubai. She then helped her compatriot to get a visit visa, and told her she would work as a saleswoman. When her compatriot arrived on September 7 last year she was picked up by the brothel manager and a male friend who took her to an apartment before confiscating her passport and locking her up.
The brothel manager then demanded she pay Dh20,000 to repay her for the visa, but the woman said she did not have the money. The brothel manager then said she would have to prostitute herself instead.
"She threatened that I would never see my children again," said the woman, who added she gave into the demand and had sex with about 11 men before managing to escape and reporting her plight to her consulate.
The Dubai Criminal Court found JF guilty of human trafficking and running a brothel. She will be deported after completing her jail term.
SR, a 31-year-old Pakistani driver, was charged with raping the woman. He was sentenced to three years in prison to be followed by deportation.
salamir@thenational.ae
