Two Pakistani expatriates, a 32-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, were sentenced to seven years in prison on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Bahrain for trafficking two Pakistani minor sisters, aged 16 and 17. The High Criminal Court delivered its verdict on Monday, June 15, 2026, following a full legal process. The court also levied a fine of BD2,000 against each defendant, in addition to the custodial sentence. The two convicted individuals, both Pakistani nationals, were found guilty of multiple charges related to the exploitation of the young victims. The victims, also Pakistani nationals, were identified as sisters aged 16 and 17, who had been lured into the kingdom under false pretenses.
Details of Exploitation and Trafficking
The two Pakistani minor sisters, aged 16 and 17, were trafficked into Bahrain via Saudi Arabia. This cross-border operation brought them into the kingdom where their exploitation began. Upon arrival, the victims were immediately forced into prostitution, deprived of their freedom, and had their earnings confiscated by the defendants. The minors faced severe threats against their physical safety and were kept in degrading conditions during their exploitation. They were reportedly housed in a hotel located in Juffair, a specific detail that emerged during the investigation. The conditions in which they were held showed the severity of their ordeal and the complete disregard for their well-being by the traffickers.
The victims traveled to Bahrain after an unidentified individual known as ‘Rana’ promised them an opportunity to earn money. This promise proved to be a deceptive lure, leading them directly into a trafficking scheme. Following each encounter, the defendants forcibly seized the money earned by the victims, leaving them with nothing and further entrenching their dependency. The minors were repeatedly threatened if they did not comply with demands and were locked in a room for days on end, a tactic designed to break their will and ensure obedience. These coercive methods highlight the systematic nature of the exploitation. The defendants were referred to the High Criminal Court on several charges, including human trafficking through coercion. Additional charges specified forcing minors into prostitution using threats and deception, unlawfully depriving them of their liberty for financial gain, and confiscating their earnings, all of which painted a grim picture of their criminal activities.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The case came to light after an officer from the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science’s Anti-Human Trafficking Directorate received a report detailing the exploitation. This key report initiated the official response to the heinous crime. Following the report, law enforcement initiated a thorough investigation into the allegations, meticulously gathering evidence and statements. Authorities subsequently arrested the suspects implicated in the trafficking operation, a critical step that led to the freeing of the two minor sisters from their captivity. The arrest of the defendants marked a turning point, allowing the victims to escape their ordeal.
The initial legal proceedings commenced with the first hearing held on May 25. This marked the formal beginning of the judicial process against the accused. Subsequent hearings in the case were conducted on June 2 and June 8, as the court progressed through the evidence and testimonies before reaching a verdict. These multiple court sessions allowed for a full review of all presented facts and arguments. The judicial process culminated in the High Criminal Court delivering its verdict on Monday, June 15, 2026, finding the defendants guilty of the charges brought against them.
Sentencing and Future Measures
The High Criminal Court has mandated that the convicted expatriates bear the costs associated with repatriating the two minor victims to Pakistan. This measure ensures that the victims' return journey is facilitated by the defendants, providing a degree of justice for the suffering they endured. This financial responsibility aims to cover all necessary expenses for their safe return home. Following the completion of their seven-year prison sentences, the defendants will be deported from Bahrain. The deportation order stipulates their permanent removal from the country once they have served their full terms for trafficking and exploiting the minors, preventing them from returning to Bahrain. This definitive action shows Bahrain's commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals.
