Princesses guilty of trafficking and abuse

BRUSSELS: Eight Emirati princesses have been convicted of human trafficking by a Belgian court. They were were given suspended jail terms and fines in a case stemming from their treatment of servants at a Brussels luxury hotel nearly 10 years ago, their lawyer said.

Yesterday, the court handed the eight women from Abu Dhabi’s ruling al- Nahyan family 15- month suspended sentences for human trafficking and degrading treatment, Stephen Monod said.

He said the defence was pleased the case was finally resolved after nearly a decade.

“Belgian justice has appropriately assessed this case, which has generated many misconceptions,” he said.

The defendants were acquitted of the more serious charge of inhuman treatment but ordered to pay a fine of 165 000 (R2.39 million).

The case was brought after a servant of the family slipped out of the hotel where the women stayed for several months in 2007 and 2008 and complained to police. – Reuters