Women deny running brothel

Dubai: Two women charged with human trafficking and running a brothel have pleaded not guilty at the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance.

Nigerian suspects E.S., 23 and S.A., 30, have been charged with luring an 18-year-old woman, A.E., and two others, K.A., 29, and R.A., 31, into prostitution, holding them captive and assaulting them.

According to records, the victims were initially lured by some women in Nigeria with the promise of lucrative jobs in Dubai. Once they landed in Dubai, their passports and travel documents were confiscated.

According to prosecution records, A.E. arrived at Dubai International Airport on Sep-tember 5, 2010, and was picked up by E.S. who then escorted her to an apartment behind the New Gold Souq.

Records revealed that S.A. picked up the other two victims, K.A. and R.A, in December, and brought them to another apartment in the same building.

A.E. said she was shocked when E.S. told her to work as a prostitute.

"I didn't come to Dubai to work as a prostitute and I never worked as one in Nigeria. I'm a virgin and unmarried," she said.

E.S. threatened A.E. and demanded that she return Dh60,000, which she claimed she had spent on her air tickets, residence visa and accommodation.

According to A.E., she had little choice but to work as a prostitute until the day before she reported the crime to the police on December 14.

All victims said they were forced into having sex with different men in apartments, homes and hotels.

The suspects charged Dh200 and Dh500 a night. The next hearing is on March 20.