Trial delay for UAE officer in ‘trafficked’ maid case

Wednesday, 20 July 2011 8:39 AM

Al-Ali has pleaded not guilty to charges that he lured Ballesteros to the US, failed to pay her and kept her confined in his house

The trial of an Emirati naval officer accused of luring a Filipino servant to the US and keeping her in virtual slavery was put on hold after the defense raised concerns about the accuracy of the translation of the former maid’s testimony.

The trial has recessed until Friday to allow Judge Mary M. Lisi time to address concerns tied to an interpreter for former servant Elizabeth Cabitla Ballesteros, Associated Press reported.

Col. Arif Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Al-Ali is accused of committed human trafficking offenses by bringing Ballesteros to the US, failing to pay her and confiscating her passport.

Al-Ali, a student at the US Naval War College in Rhode Island, forced her to work seven days a week, often until midnight, without pay and refused to let her leave the house alone, the court was told in an arraignment hearing in April.

Al-Ali had brought the woman to the US in July 2010 to work as a household servant for himself, his wife and his five children.

Ballesteros on Monday told the court Al-Ali had forced her to sign a document affirming she received 12 monthly payments of $1,600.

Prosecutors say Al-Ali paid her $200 a month for two months before she escaped.

Al-Ali has pleaded not guilty to charges that he lured Ballesteros to the US, failed to pay her and kept her confined in his house. He has also denied providing investigators with false documents indicating he paid her $19,000.

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Posted by: Waqar Ahmed Wednesday, 20 July 2011 4:30 PM[UAE] - United Kingdom

This is a well known scam where the maids working for families in the middle east trying to escape while visiting UK and USA with their employers. They take it as an opportunity and the best way to get rid of their employer is to blame them of ill treatment.

Posted by: James Tuesday, 3 April 2012 11:26 AM[UAE] - UAE

Dear Billy i think you are naive too if you think we live in Disney Pink World...Not all filipina maids are honest.. Just because they're maids doesn't mean they are honest and they would get the sympathy of people.. We have had maids before who had stolen from us.. Not all maids are to be trusted and many pinoys know this as a fact.. Mahirap na magtiwala sa mga katulong na hindi kilala.. This pinay just wants more money..

Posted by: Billy Thursday, 21 July 2011 1:50 PM[UAE] - UAE

Waqar, I think you are being a little naive if you think this is a ploy by the maid to escape to the USA. Read the story more carefully and you will see an alleged litany of wrong doings against this poor woman that no-one should be expected to endure.

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Posted by: Telcoguy Wednesday, 20 July 2011 2:13 PM[UAE] - UAE

How many unemployed US nationals are willing to work 24x7 dealing with all the requirements of a family for the money paid to a maid in the UAE? Or for any money.
And yes maids get visas, they travel to Europe with the families in summer. No big deal.
If you had followed news more carefully you would know of a number of situations involving GCC citizens and the treatment of the domestic helpers while traveling to Europe/UK.

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Posted by: john barnes Wednesday, 20 July 2011 11:34 AM[UAE] - usa

The officer should have been better acquainted with US laws. I also didnt realise that maids could get visas to the US, when there are so many unemployed US nationals wanting jobs

Posted by: james Tuesday, 3 April 2012 11:25 AM[UAE] - UAE

John you're just being prejudice ? another drama queen case

Posted by: Ibrahim Monday, 22 August 2011 3:08 PM[UAE] - UAE

John, how many American maids have you seen in the US? All the ones I know are either Mexican or Salvadoran

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