Accusatory decision against ‘Chez Maurice’ human trafficking network in Junieh

Eight months following the discovery of the most dangerous human trafficking network led by a Lebanese businessman, owner of Chez Maurice and Silver night clubs in Junieh, (http://www.lkdg.org/ar/node/14941) the magistrate of the Accusatory Body in Mount Lebanon, Judge Elias Eid, issued an accusatory decision, No. 2211/2016 on the case. The indictment focuses on charges of human trafficking, slavery and systematic torture and rape against girls and forcing them into prostitution by intimidation and coercion. Some 26 suspects were indicted on charges of documented crimes under the masked trade of ‘human trafficking’. So far, 22 persons were detained in stages, while arrest warrants have been issued in absentia for the remaining four who are still at large. The Judge has based his decision on the law related to human trafficking No. 164/2011 and other clauses of the Penal Code. In this respect, the lawyer at Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation, Mohana Isaac, described this ruling to Al Akhbar newspaper as a progressive step in cases of human trafficking. This is so, Isaac explained, because the issuance of the indictment which will refer the file to the Criminal Court to start the public trial, has bunked off fears of mitigation of the punishment from trafficking to facilitation of prostitution. “The criminal descriptions were consistent with the criminal circumstances and acts, without taking away the rights of the victims. This culminates effort kicked off months ago which have proved the existence of human trafficking,” Isaac concluded. (Al Akhbar, December 15, 2016)