A couple from Liège were convicted on Wednesday by the city's criminal court of exploiting 11 victims of Latin American origin as prostitutes.
The man, a double repeat offender, was sentenced to 4 years in prison and fined €44,000. His partner received a 30-month suspended prison sentence and a €44,000 fine, also suspended.
Since 2018, the couple had leased a building in the centre of Liège to set up a prostitution centre. They rented apartments by the week and specialised in a network of prostitutes of Latin American origin.
In all, 11 victims were identified. They were living precariously in Belgium and had to work illegally to survive. According to the court, they were ideal prey for the defendants, who described themselves as Good Samaritans active in the rental of apartments.
The public prosecutor estimated the defendants’ illegal assets at €595,000.
The court took into account the seriousness of the facts and the defendants’ lack of self-questioning. In addition to the prison terms and fines imposed on the couple, the court ordered the confiscation of €50,000 in illegal assets.
