Trial Begins for Alleged Ringleaders of International Sex Trafficking Network in Montpellier

Suspected of having run a major international prostitution network, Mohamed Z., a native of Arles of Moroccan origin, will be tried, from February 7 to 10, alongside 13 other people. The suspect and Sandra V., a 49-year-old Colombian living in Barcelona, would be the central figures in the case, reports Midi Libre. They will appear in custody before the Montpellier court.

The testimony of Jenifer and Yamileth is at the origin of the outbreak of this case. It emerges from the testimony of these two young Colombians that the members of the network held them hostage and forced them to sell their bodies while Sandra had promised them a job as nannies in Barcelona. They had to have relations with up to 8 clients per day, sometimes during the day and late into the night, first in Nîmes, then in Montpellier. "Helpless, uprooted" and not speaking French, they claim to have had no choice but to accept.

In addition to the poor conditions, they had to hand over 50% of the money from prostitution under threat of being beaten. One of them recounts having suffered the consequences for refusing to make a transfer to Morocco to the family of Mohamed Z., the owner of the apartments where all the women exploited by the network are housed. Allegations contested by the defendant who claims to be only a real estate owner. "He rented apartments to students and then to girls who sold their charms and who, moreover, continue to do so for some," reacted Abratkiewicz, his lawyer.