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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
Talal and Abair Alzanki (30 and 21 at time of incident). Talal Alzanki was a student at Boston University from Kuwait and came to the US with his wife Abair and their child. They employed a domestic servant, Ms. G. from August to December 1992. Ms. G., who was from Sri Lanka, had been working for the Alzanki family in Kuwait where her passport had been taken from her and she was threatened that she would be subject to arrest should she leave the residence. She was informed that she would work for Talal and Abair Alzanki in America. Ms. G. was promised a salary of $250 per month which was reduced to $120 before she departed Kuwait. Upon arrival in Quincy, MA her passport was taken from her again. During the four month working for the Alzankis in Quincy she was repeatedly threatened that she would be deported if she left the house and that American police and citizens would shoot undocumented aliens who ventured out alone. She was not permitted to use the telephone or mail and to speak to anyone but the Alzankis. Ms. G. was made to clean the house with caustic and noxious fumes, deliberately risking her health. The Alzankis refused to get her medical treatment for serious health problems. Ms. G. was also physically assaulted on two occasions. The Alzankis denied adequate food and Ms. G. became severely malnourished. Ms. G. was also threatened on almost a daily basis with deportation, death, or serious harm, should she disobey the Alzanki's orders.
Response and intervention
On March 21, 1994, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment, charging the Alzankis with conspiring to hold, and holding, Ms. G. in involuntary servitude, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Secs. 371 and 1584. At trial, the Alzankis testified in their own behalf; Ms. G. testified for the prosecution. Due to a medical emergency, a mistrial was declared as to Abair Alzanki, prior to her cross-examination. The government nonetheless agreed to permit her direct testimony to remain in evidence. The jury returned guilty verdicts against Talal Alzanki on both counts. The district court sentenced him to one year and one day, which represented a downward departure from the 18-to-24 month guideline sentencing range, and to a modest restitutionary sentence of $13,403. Talal Alzanki appealed, but on June 1, 1995, the US Courts of Appeals, First Circuit affirmed the district court judgement. On December 17, 1992, after confiding her plight to nurses who came to the apartment to care for the Alzankis' sick child, Ms. G. fled the apartment and reported her ordeal to the local police. Talal Alzanki later complained to the police that Ms. G. should be returned, because she "belonged to him" and "he had a contract for her." Ms. G. received legal representation. Other social services are not known. Legal representation by Sarah Burgess Reed.