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US 'slavery' couple found guilty

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  • US 'slavery' couple found guilty

    From the BBC:

    US 'slavery' couple found guilty
    The Sabhnanis were accused of "modern day slavery"

    A wealthy US couple have been convicted of keeping two Indonesian women as slaves in a New York home and abusing them physically and psychologically.
    Indian-born Mahender Murlidhar Sabhnani, 51, and his wife, Varsha Mahender Sabhnani, 45, could face up to 40 years in prison.

    They were found guilty on 12 charges, which included involuntary servitude, harbouring aliens and forced labour.

    The couple's lawyer said he would appeal against the verdict.

    The wealthy couple, who run a perfume business and have four children, had brought the women to their large house to work as housekeepers, and forced them to work up to 18 hours per day.

    The couple were arrested after one of the women was found wandering the streets dressed in only trousers and a towel.

    Regular beatings

    Prosecutors described the case as "modern-day slavery".

    They described how the two Indonesian women had been punished for misbehaviour such as sleeping late and stealing food from the dustbin to supplement their meagre meals.

    Varsha Sabhnani and her husband had pleaded not guilty

    The women said they had been beaten with brooms and umbrellas, slashed with knives, made to take freezing showers and climb stairs repeatedly.

    One said she had been forced to eat several hot chillies and then her own vomit.

    "Apparently, the jury was taken by the histrionics (of the Indonesian women)," defence lawyer Jeffrey Hoffmann told AP.

    Lawyers for the accused had argued that the housekeepers practiced witchcraft and may have abused themselves.

    They had said the couple spent a lot of time abroad and that the two Indonesian women would have been free to leave whenever they wanted.

    The pair were described as "model citizens" who wanted only to clear their names.

    The women, identified as Nona and Samirah, arrived in the US legally in 2002 but had their passports confiscated by the Sabhnanis, officials said. Their visas have since expired.
    "The pair were described as 'model citizens' who wanted only to clear their names." Really? Why not produce pay stubs and W-2 forms.

    Give 'em the full 40 years. It will take that long to explain to their cellmate "Bubba" why slavery is a good thing.
    Last edited by Zkribbler; December 17, 2007, 18:42.

  • #2
    Indian slaveowners
    “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    - John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

    Comment


    • #3
      Aneeshm. Lordshiva. Both of you have a lot of explaining to do.

      Comment


      • #4
        Indian-born, but now they're USAians. They obviously came to this country seeking freedom.

        Comment


        • #5
          And the Indonesian women are most likely Muslim. Taking out religious hatreds on poor hardworking immigrants to America.
          “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
          - John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
            And the Indonesian women are most likely Muslim. Taking out religious hatreds on poor hardworking immigrants to America.
            It's a stretch to assume that they were taking out religious hatreds on the women. For all we know, the Sabhnanis might be equal-opportunity oppressors.

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            • #7
              I could use a slave or two.

              I wonder if Lancer could help with that.
              "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
              "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

              Comment


              • #8
                Zkrib: Don't mess up the troll
                “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
                - John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Wezil
                  I could use a slave or two.

                  I wonder if Lancer could help with that.
                  We'll reserve a cell for you next to the Sabhnanis.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I don't see why the article had to mention that they were Indian.
                    “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                    "Capitalism ho!"

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      People might have thought they were ****ed up Japanese.
                      Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
                      "Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
                      He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Or Texan!
                        “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                        "Capitalism ho!"

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          That's why they specified. Indian yankees.
                          Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.
                          "Hating America is something best left to Mobius. He is an expert Yank hater.
                          He also hates Texans and Australians, he does diversify." ~ Braindead

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I'm starting to think it's a cover now that Texas has been brought into the picture.
                            “As a lifelong member of the Columbia Business School community, I adhere to the principles of truth, integrity, and respect. I will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.”
                            "Capitalism ho!"

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I wouldn't be talking DaShi. Japan sells used school girl panties in vending machines.

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