A woman who owns and manages a massage and physical therapy parlor in Ouarzazate has been charged with human trafficking and repeatedly preparing premises for prostitution, and placed in pretrial detention, Moroccan authorities said Thursday.
The suspect, identified by the initials N.W., was brought before the prosecutor general at the Ouarzazate Court of Appeal by the city’s regional judicial police as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual exploitation at the establishment in the Al Quds neighborhood.
Following questioning, the prosecutor general ordered her detention at Ouarzazate local prison and referred her case to the court’s criminal chamber for trial under the law.
According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect admitted to routinely using the massage premises for sexual activity and prostitution, saying she managed the establishment and earned as much as 5,000 Moroccan dirhams ($500) a day from the activities.
She also admitted to exploiting her employees’ poverty and vulnerable social circumstances to indirectly pressure them into engaging in sexual activity at the premises, according to the investigation. The suspect allegedly kept the proceeds while paying each employee a monthly salary of no more than 2,500 dirhams.
The suspect reportedly told investigators that she attempted to flee Morocco after learning that police had raided the premises. Border police arrested her at Agadir Al Massira Airport as she attempted to travel to France, acting on a nationwide wanted notice.
Another suspect, identified as A.B., who allegedly assisted N.W. in managing the establishment, had previously been arrested and charged with involvement in the same alleged offenses. She was also placed in pretrial detention at Ouarzazate local prison.
The investigation is continuing under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office and local security services to identify and arrest any other people suspected of involvement.
The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings.
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