Leisure Clothing directors to be indicted as court finds enough evidence for case to continue

Han Bin and Jia Liu, the managing and marketing directors of Leisure Clothing, a Bulebel textile factory owned by the Chinese government, are to be indicted on charges of human trafficking and exploiting labour, after a Court of Magistrates decreed that there is sufficient evidence to merit a bill of indictment.

Magistrate Carol Peralta has delivered the long-awaited decree of prima facie on all charges, which, aside from human trafficking, includes misappropriating employees' wages, failing to pay wages, overtime and allowances and failing to comply with employment conditions.

The court had heard a string of Vietnamese witnesses testify as to how they would receive €200-€300 monthly for working 12 hours a day, seven days a week, had their passports confiscated by the company on their arrival.

The Attorney General may now file a bill of indictment, which is expected to result in a trial by jury against the pair.

It is understood that the court was initially unconvinced regarding the charge of human trafficking, but almost three months to the day from their initial arraignment, has finally decreed that there are prima facie grounds on all the charges.

Lawyer Lanfranco from the office of the AG, Inspector Joseph Busuttil and Inspector Sylvana Briffa are prosecuting.

Lawyers Pio Valletta and Edward Gatt are defending the accused.