The court upheld the defence’s request and witnesses were called to the stand to testify against the man who has been charged with organising a brothel and forcing Russian women into prostitution.

The man, whose name cannot be published by court order, was charged with trafficking women and exploiting them for prostitution. He was accused of organising a brothel in Luqa and using the premises for prostitution purposes.

The man was also accused of using women to satisfy the lust of others and holding them against their will. In addition, he was accused of breaching the terms of a suspended sentence.

Defence attorneys Dr Manwel Mallia and Dr Giannella Caruana Curran requested the case be heard behind closed doors. Finding no opposition from prosecuting inspector Louise Calleja, the court, presided over by magistrate Giovanni Grixti, upheld this request.

Three Russian women were called to the stand yesterday to testify in the case.