27 Apr 2011

Guilty verdict in Tonga's first human trafficking case

1:39 pm on 27 April 2011

Two Chinese victims in Tonga's first human trafficking case are relieved that a Chinese national Liu Lirong was found guilty on all charges.

The Supreme Court found Liu guilty on seven charges of trafficking persons into Tonga, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution.

Liu has been released on conditional bail until sentencing on May the 27th.

The Crown Prosecutor, Sione Sisifa, says the two victims, Chun Juan Du and Hong Yu Yang, are relieved.

"I think they were pretty affected by the way they were treated. It was clearly shown in their evidence during the trial. They were traumatised. The outcome was a big relief for the two victims."

In Tonga, the maximum penalty for trafficking persons is jail not exceeding 25 years.