MONROVIA, May 1 (LINA) – The Special Grand Jurors for Montserrado County have indicted four men and a woman for Illicit Trafficking in Human Being and Migrant Smuggling, Gang Rape and Criminal Conspiracy, a felony of the first degree.
Those indicted are Lebanese nationals Abbas El Debes, Bashir Al Laskis, Ghazi Bashar and Hayah Debes as well as Liberian Richard Dickson Tamba.
According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to recruit, transport, transfer or travel of several Liberian young women to the Republic of Lebanon for the purpose of exploitation and forced labor.
The indictment indicated that the victims were recruited in Monrovia between the period 2011 t0 2013for the purpose of placing them in danger of forced labor, slavery, sexual assault and rape, and that the defendants ultimately did rape the victims.
The indictment named the victims as Bernice Gbar, Muffittee Panma, Grace David, Linda Kowu, Mamie Dolo, Emma Sawbar, Rema Nyenpan, Etta Yanamie, Gloria Jackson, Mariama Sonie, Patricia Joe, Ayres Jasper, Jessica Sampah, Patience King, Ezetta Sneh, Helen Gardeah and Mae Lilly Moseima.
According to the indictment, the victims were promised salaries ranging between US$200 to US$250, but upon arrival in Lebanon, the promise was never upheld and their passports were seized and they were subjected to inhumane treatment, including forced labor and rape.
LINA PTK