Six Ukranian women, who are massage parlour workers, were arraigned in court this morning after they were arrested for being involved in the running of a brothel.  

Four of the six women immediately pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them, and were slapped with a one year prison term suspended for two years.

Three massage parlours in San Gwann and another two in Sta Venera, were subject to police investigations which led to the six women being arraigned in court. The police found reason to believe that the massage parlours were allegedly being used for prostitution or other illicit actions.

Two of the women, Olena Zhuk, 36-years-old, and Yana Barbutsa, 36-years-old, pleaded not guilty. A request for bail was put forward by the defence attorney’s of the two massage parlour workers, which was objected to by the prosecution.                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The prosecution argued that there were several civilian witnesses that could be influenced prior to their testimony with regards the case.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, presiding over the case, decided with the prosecution on the grounds that the women had not been in Malta long enough which has not reassured the courts that they would not abscond.

Victorija Mykhay, 38, Svitlana Pabat, 38, Natalia Starykova, 37, and Inna Karpusha, 39, had pleaded guilty, and therefore found guilty. Magistrate Frendo Dimech remarked that the Principal Immigration Officer should make an assessment to see whether the women should be repatriated.

Inspector John Spiteri prosecuted, Lawyer Josette Sultana was legal aid for Ms Mykhay, Ms Pabat, Ms Starykova, Ms Zhuk and Ms Karpusha. Layer Alessandro Lia represented Ms Barbutsa.