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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?
What happened
There are ten suspects, including one woman, involved in the human trafficking ring in Dili. Names and details of these suspects are not known. The suspects lured the women into traveling to Timor-Leste on the pretext they would have legitimate jobs as waitresses or masseuses. Once in the country they were forced to provide sexual services.
Response and intervention
The arrested suspects are now in Becora Prison awaiting a pre-trial hearing. Police raided a bar in the Marconi neighborhood on July 2nd and arrested 10 suspects. Police found 21 women and one 17 year old working at the bar. The police involved included both local police forces and the United Nations Police (Unpol) serving in Timor-Leste. The women are being cared for by the International Organization for Migration and non-governmental organizations while they are being processed as victims of human trafficking.