DUBAI // A maid was kidnapped at knifepoint by a fellow domestic worker in an attempt to force her into prostitution, a court heard today.
Prosecutors told the Criminal Court the maid was awoken by her colleague at 3am on February 8 and taken to the kitchen. When she got there the colleague produced a knife and told the maid to get into a car driven by her boyfriend.
The pair then drove off with the maid, but stopped near Dubai airport when she said she needed the toilet.
"When I did so I spoke to the Filipino toilet cleaner and told her about my ordeal," recalled the maid.
The cleaner helped the maid contact her sponsor who then alerted police.
When the pair were arrested they told police they were part of a plot with three others to force the maid into prostitution.
The court charged five people with attempted human trafficking: SM, 23, a maid from Indonesia, RE, 27, a maid from Bangladesh, AB, 40, a driver from Indonesia, RN, 23, a carpenter from Bangladesh and MB, 37, a farmer from Bangladesh.
RE was charged with running a brothel, while the others were charged with facilitating prostitution.
All the defendants denied all the charges and the case was adjourned to July 14.
salamir@thenational.ae
