Human trafficking charge levelled in ‘Mecca street girls case’

AMMAN — The public prosecutor has levelled human trafficking charges against the parents and paternal uncle of the three girls involved in the so-called “Mecca street girls case”.

The Ministry of Social Development, in a statement, on Wednesday said that the father, mother and uncle of the three girls were ordered detained at a correctional and rehabilitation centre pending further investigations, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Amendments to Anti-Human Trafficking Law of 2021 include that anyone involved in crime related to organised trafficking should be punished by no less than seven years of temporary labour and pay a fine of no less than JD5,000 and no more than JD20,000.

According to the ministry, the three girls were found on the sidewalks of Mecca Street in Amman. Preliminary investigations revealed that their father allegedly forced them in begging throughout the night until dawn, the Ministry of Social Development said.