Jail for Dubai men who forced woman to work as masseuse

DUBAI // Two men accused of forcing a woman to work as an "exotic masseuse" have been cleared of human trafficking, but found guilty of assault and sentenced to two months in prison.

The Criminal Court also fined MJ, 36, a plumber, and MF, 28, both from Bangladesh, Dh1,000 each.

They were arrested after complaints by a woman that they had lured her to the country with the promise of a well-paid job, but instead locked her up in a flat in Al Rafaa and forced her to work as a masseuse.

She told prosecutors that she was promised a Dh1,300 salary but did not know that she would be working with men. When she objected, the two men assaulted her before taking away her passport.

She was moved from one massage centre to another for about two months before she complained to a member of the public that she was being abused and gave him the address of the flat where she was being held.

The man reported the matter to police and few days later officers raided the flat and arrested the two men and three women.

salamir@thenational.ae