Four Asian nationals facing charges in relation to human trafficking and forced prostitution involving two women have been found guilty.

The four have been charged with six counts of aggravated trafficking in person, domestic trafficking in persons and sexual servitude.

In a trial which ran for more than two weeks, the court heard that between 5th September to 7th September, Phanat Laojindamanee, Lum Bing, Zhang Yong and Jason Zhong facilitated the entry of two women into the country and deceived them about the fact that the arrangements for their stay in Fiji will involve their exploitation.

The court also heard that the women were threatened to provide sexual services to others.
 
Judge Justice Paul Madigan overturned the assessor’s decision who had found Laojindamanee and Bing not guilty of the first two counts while Yong and Zhong were found guilty of four counts.

Zhong’s lawyer, Gavin O’ Driscoll asked for his client’s bail which was refused by Judge Madigan.

The four have been remanded in custody for sentencing submission to be heard on 21st January next year.

The issue was first highlighted on Fijivillage after we were contacted by a concerned citizen following which a raid was conducted by the Immigration Department.
 
Director Immigration, Major Nemani Vuniwaqa had highlighted at the time that the women had revealed to them that they were being transferred to different locations and forced into prostitution by a group of men.


Story by: Praneeta Prakash & Tokasa Rainima