3 men charged with human trafficking appears in court

Three men charged with human trafficking appeared in the Suva High Court yesterday before Judge, Justice Paul Madigan.

Phanat Laojidanmanea from Thailand, Lum Bing a local Chinese and Zhang Yong from Hong Kong.

It has been established in court that Phanat originally from Thailand is a middleman in a fruit business, met the Thai females he allegedly trafficked at the airport in Thailand and gave them 300 US Dollars before they left for Fiji.

Defence Counsel, Aseri Vakaloloma who received disclosures from the State Counsel, said that there is no Thai interpreter arranged, and this is the first time for his client to come to Fiji.

As for the third accused, Yong, his lawyer Akuila Naco said his client will need an Interpreter that speaks Mandarin Chinese.  

Meanwhile Lam Bing and Zhang Yong were also refused bail yesterday.

The three have been further remanded in custody, to the 17th of this month.

Story by: Tokasa Rainima