Belgian prosecutors are seeking prison sentences and a fine of 1.9 million euros (2.1 million dollars) for eight members of the Abu Dhabi royal household accused of treating more than 20 domestic workers like “slaves,” local media reported Friday.
The trial of Princess Hamda Alnehayan, the widow of the sheikh of Abu Dhabi, and her seven daughters got under way in Brussels with prosecutors alleging that they had confiscated the passports of their employees and refused to pay their salaries.
On the second day of the trial, prosecutor Henri Funck said he was seeking a fine and 18 months of imprisonment for the defendants, the Belga news agency reported.
The princesses are facing charges of human trafficking, deprivation of liberty and treating their employees in an “inhumane and degrading” way.
The princesses’ attorney called for acquittals in the case, arguing that a company called Private Department arranged the employment contracts and it was therefore the company – not the princesses, that was legally responsible for breaches of the agreements.
Lawyers for the domestic workers pointed out, however, that members of the sheikh’s family, including some of the defendants, were registered as the company’s owners.
The defence also accused the domestic workers of exaggerating.
The case dates back to 2008.
Following a tip-off, Belgian police had raided a luxury hotel, where the princesses occupied an entire floor for a whole year.
The domestic workers are reportedly from the Philippines, Morocco, India, Egypt, Turkey, Iraq and Syria, and were allegedly held captive for eight months.(dpa/NAN)
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