The defendants in a human tracking case that took place in Flemish chicken slaughterhouses have asked to be acquitted at the Bruges Correctional Court.
Appearing on Friday, the defence made the case for those involved in a human trafficking case at an illegal chicken slaughterhouse in Kortrijk, Flanders. The court has demanded a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine of up to €88,000.
The investigation was launched following statements made by a former employee of Omar Z. (40). According to the witness, the defendant from Zulte ran an illegal chicken slaughterhouse in a shed in Kortrijk.
Meanwhile, he had housed his meat processing business in a shed in Zulte, in the middle of a residential area.
Credit: Belga/ David Pintens
Omar Z. and his brother Salah (32) allegedly employed undocumented workers there on a large scale. At least six victims received barely €7 to €8 an hour even though they had to be on standby at all times. The workers were only allowed five minute breaks at most. In addition, there was no toilet or place to eat in the shed.
The investigation also included a raid of a chicken farm in Ingelmunster (West Flanders) on 21 June 2021. Although Hamid H. (50) from Harelbeke had a legal business, he engaged in the same illegal practices as Omar and his brother at night.
At least 11 victims were paid equally little, while having to work shifts of between seven and 11 hours. Safety measures were negligible, and when workers cut themselves, they had to make do with plasters.
The court requested a two-year prison sentence, an €88,000 fine and a €102,000 forfeiture from Hamid H. The defence also asked that each worker's case be examined individually.
Lighter punishment requested
"Most of these people did have another choice," said Hamid H.'s lawyer Thomas Gillis in reference to the poor treatment of workers. He insisted on granting his client community service, a suspended fine and a milder forfeiture.
Omar Z. faces 18 months in prison, a €48,000 fine and a €121,000 forfeiture. His lawyer Yves François labelled the whistleblower's statements as implausible, and his client claimed that the man had never worked for him.
According to the defence, the accused was at most guilty of undeclared work by some three employees. "They had no money and no food and I showed my good heart," Omar Z. said in his concluding statement.
His brother Salah, who risks 15 months and a €48,000 fine asked to be acquitted of all the facts.
"My client stands here only because he is Omar's brother," according to his lawyer Randall Huysentruyt.
The court will deliver its verdict on 21 February.
