Latest news with #prostitution
LBCI
2 days ago
- LBCI
‘Where is the state?': Fear grips Maameltein amid rising crime
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian It's a situation any girl or woman walking along the coastal road in Maameltein might face. Simply passing through this notorious street can expose her to harassment — a growing burden on local residents and families living in the area. According to residents and local municipalities, criminal networks have turned what was once a tourist strip into a hotspot for illicit activity, including prostitution, drug trafficking and the spread of illegal weapons. Inside an abandoned hotel, illegal activities are reportedly taking place, confirmed by local community leaders who say municipal authorities alone are unable to raid the premises. Around the area, groups of women involved in sex work can be seen along the road day and night — a trade that thrives alongside drug sales. Just weeks ago, the municipality caught a drug dealer using cocaine along the stretch of the road that falls under Jounieh's jurisdiction. But that's not all. If you're simply passing through Maameltein, you could be struck by a bullet fired in a moment of rage by someone intoxicated or armed and outside the law — like individuals captured in a video, filmed early Sunday morning. The stabbing of two locals, George and Liliane, has added to this grim reality. In response, a group called the Guards of Ghadir has called for a protest this coming Wednesday. One of the core problems is that the Ghazir municipality lacks sufficient police personnel. It is currently relying on local volunteers to secure night patrols, while the Keserwan Ftouh Federation is working to establish a new security committee. But even when municipalities notify security forces about illegal activity, arrests are often not made — either due to overcrowded detention centers or, if a suspect is detained, they are quickly released. This pattern suggests that these gangs enjoy both political and security protection. As for Maameltein and its residents, it is the state's duty to provide them with safety and peace of mind.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
Heartbreaking truth about ‘depraved' image dividing ritzy Melbourne suburb
A woman stands in front of an abandoned shop on the busiest street in Melbourne for sex workers. She is photographed by locals who share her image on social media alongside a message written in chalk. 'I don't suck c*** for $50. Ask your mum,' the message reads. In a local Facebook group for residents of the glitzy Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, the photographer shares a crude description of the scene. 'Protesting prossie depravity for our kids to enjoy.' The image sums up a huge divide in St Kilda among locals who either view it with sympathy and an attempt at understanding or who choose instead to gawk and judge. The picture is important, but it's what it doesn't show that matters more. Less than 30m from where that woman is standing, on quiet, residential Greeves Street, a crime that shocked Australia took place. At 2am on July 21, 2013, street-based sex worker Tracy Connelly was beaten to death inside her van after a night on Melbourne's red light mile. More than seven other St Kilda-based sex workers have lost their lives since. Ms Connelly's killer remains on the loose and her murder remains unsolved — a tragic and terrifying reminder of the dangers faced by those who work the streets, often because they have no other choice. Among them are the woman who was bullied into homelessness from her residential care home, the woman who witnessed a brutal murder and now lives in a world of scary hallucinations and the woman whose young life was spent in a war zone and who now heavily self-medicates to manage the trauma she witnessed. We know this because all of them visited St Kilda Gatehouse on the same street where Ms Connelly was murdered. They stopped in because it is one of the only places in Melbourne where they can get a coffee and a snack without judgment. CEO of the non-profit organisation Nickie Gyomber told that the image of the woman in front of the abandoned shop 'can suggest things that are untrue'. 'How likely is it that someone who is navigating homelessness — and this includes finding a toilet and a glass of water — is going to use valuable resources to write two-tone crafted messages on a street corner?' she said. She said it was 'disappointing and sad to see pictures and comments such as this posted to social media' because 'many of the women shown are having some of the most difficult days of their lives, exhausted from a cold night unable to properly sleep'. Street-based sex work in Victoria is legal. It was decriminalised in 2022. Prior to that, sex work was only legal if it took place under certain conditions set out in the Sex Work Act 1994. But even advocates admit it can be jarring, especially in areas frequented by children. The stigma around it has not gone away. 'On the whole, the St Kilda community is very kind and understanding of the challenges for people living with the consequences of life trauma,' Ms Gyomber said. 'However, visible homelessness, sex work, and messages in public spaces can feel confronting — talking about these things with kids on the way to school can feel like a lot at 8:30am. 'But it is up to us — both as community and individuals — as to whether we use these sights to educate ourselves about causes of and responses to trauma. Alternatively, we can gawk and judge.' She says they put their lives at risk every single day using 'sex work to survive'. Many are addicted to street drugs that they used to self-medicate because of their past traumas. 'The risks faced by these women are enormous: sexual violence, mental health distress and crisis, everyday hunger, and poverty,' she said. She said the women who she sees are very aware of Ms Connelly's murder. 'Tracey Connelly's murder continues to grieve the women we support and we continue to hope for a time when there is accountability for her tragic loss. 'Safety is always an issue with a narrative that sex workers or people with life-controlling addiction or navigating homelessness are somehow 'less than'. It is a dehumanising narrative makes violence more likely.' A survey of sex workers conducted by St Kilda Gatehouse gathered first-hand accounts of what life on the street is like. 'In 2018, I started coming to drop in. I ended up there because someone had picked me up from Balaclava Station and dropped me off. I was unconscious on the platform. I can't really remember it. And I don't know who picked me up and dropped me at the drop in. But I am so lucky they did,' said one woman. 'It's really tough living on the street and not many people understand us,' another said. A third said simply: 'You see some pretty crazy stuff on the streets. People are bad.' previously spoke with sex worker Renee *, a friend of Ms Connelly who described her as 'a beautiful person'. 'I'm self sufficient, but I've been that way since I was 16,' she said. 'I respect the other girls, but most of them are heavy drug users. I don't take drugs ... I don't do this to pay for a drug habit.' She is an outlier but she is proof that stereotypes don't always fit. It's a truism that Ms Gyomber wishes St Kilda locals would learn to embrace. 'I wonder why this it's confronting (to see pictures of sex workers on the street),' she said. 'Why is it difficult to see someone in a difficult circumstance? What is it bringing up, emotionally, for us? 'I wonder whether these images stir an uncomfortable compassion, maybe something against the narrative that we all have equal choice in how we live. 'Trauma shapes these people's lives and all of the choices available to them — that is a hard truth to confront.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs will try to engineer a post-trial ‘comeback,' report says
NEW YORK — As he awaits his sentencing for prostitution-related charges, music industry insiders already foresee Sean 'Diddy' Combs attempting a post-trial 'comeback.' An industry insider told Us Weekly there's 'no doubt' the Bad Boy Records founder, 55, will eye a return to high-profile form, though it will 'be an uphill battle.' 'Things will never be the same for him,' said the insider, in part because the now-infamous video of the Harlem-born mogul attacking then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel in 2016 'will be seared into everyone's memory forever.' This will make it 'hard for the public to trust anything he says or does,' they continued, though Diddy might not accept defeat so easily. 'He loves to be loved and be the center of attention,' said the insider, who anticipates a 'very controlled' first interview and the announcement of 'some charitable donation ideas.' The remarks come as Combs awaits his Oct. 3 sentencing for two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution — each count carrying a potential 10-year prison sentence — following his conviction earlier this month, and his acquittal of two counts of sex trafficking and one count of racketeering, for which he could have faced life behind bars. Melvin Villaver, Jr., a music marketing expert and Assistant Professor at Clemson University, told the outlet that regardless of the public's post-trial view of Combs — the subject of more than 60 lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and other misdeeds — 'his rights, royalties and licensing power — will continue to generate value.' Villaver also believes Combs will attempt a rebrand, as he has through monikers like Puff, Puff Daddy, Diddy, Love, etc. 'I imagine he'll try to reshape the narrative around this chapter, too — whether through spiritual transformation, philanthropy or some sort of redemption narrative. Whether or not the public accepts it is another question entirely.' Combs' lawyers told Us meanwhile their client 'is committed to doing the work to become a better man.'
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (32) jailed for eight years for organising prostitution across Dublin
A man who organised prostitution across Dublin by leasing out eight properties to be used as brothels has been jailed for eight years. Stelian Ciuciu (32) posed as part of a couple with another woman, who was working as an escort, to rent properties from unsuspecting landlords, which he then advertised to escorts for their use. He laundered about €320,000 in the process, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Advertisement Ciuciu used a WhatsApp group containing about 450 members to advertise the properties to escorts and was heavily engaged in the day-to-day upkeep of the premises, as well as regularly advising the escorts to maintain discretion and not draw attention to themselves, Detective Garda Colm Grogan of the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit said. Ciuciu, of Brookdale Walk, Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to 20 counts including enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, organising prostitution, brothel-keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. The offences took place in various locations within the State on dates between January 2020 and November 2023. The most serious of these offences – enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation – carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, while the remaining offences carry maximum terms of between five and 14 years, the court heard. Ciuciu has no previous convictions. Advertisement Sentencing Ciuciu on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan said he was involved in this organised and 'pretty sophisticated' prostitution scheme and his principal role was to rent out the properties, which the prostitutes then used 'for their occupation'. Judge Nolan acknowledged that Ciuciu entered a plea late in the prosecution of the case but said this was a 'very valuable plea' as the trial would have been complicated and lengthy involving many witnesses. The judge remarked that substantial profits would have been made from the operation and acknowledged that the gardaí are doing their best to track that money but he said either Ciuciu 'or someone else' profited from the scheme. Judge Nolan set a global headline sentenced of 13 years before he considered the various mitigation in the case. Advertisement He noted that Ciuciu has no previous convictions, has family responsibilities and that his wife and three children are in 'pretty impoverished circumstances' since his remand in custody. He acknowledged that Ciuciu has done well in custody since his remand and accepted letters that were handed into the court on his behalf. Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of eight years which was backdated to when Ciuciu first went into custody last November. Ciuciu forfeited the cash which had been seized during the course of the investigation to the State. Det Gda Grogan told Mark Lynam SC, prosecuting, at a sentence hearing on Tuesday that Ciuciu's offences came to light when some landlords came forward with suspicions about what their rented properties were being used for. Gardaí noticed that similar rental documents with Ciuciu's photo but different names had been used to rent out the properties and Ciuciu was identified and followed. Gardaí followed him to a number of properties that were being used as brothels and some banks where he was lodging cash. Advertisement When gardaí entered the premises and carried out welfare checks, they found prostitution was taking place in each property, with two or more escorts working there, the court heard. A total of €320,000 was found to be going through Ciuciu's accounts. Det Gda Grogan said this money, which was mostly lodged in cash by Ciuciu, was used to pay the rent for the properties and these accounts did not contain any profits. When he was arrested in November 2023 and his home was searched, a total of €11,000 in cash was seized. When asked by Judge Nolan if gardaí had established what profits Ciuciu made from the enterprise, Det Gda Grogan said in his experience, escorts would pay up to €1,000 a week per property. Investigations are continuing into the whereabouts of the profits Ciuciu would have made, the court heard. The court heard Ciuciu provided fake documents, including fake Romanian identity documents and fake employer references to rent out the properties, which were the subject of the false instrument charges. Advertisement He and the escort who was posing as his partner provided employer references for a garage and a beauty salon. People in these businesses who were 'complicit' in the offending provided fake references when contacted, the court heard. No charges have been made in relation to these people to date. Ciuciu's accomplice, referred to in court as Ms N, has since fled the country, the court heard. Ireland Former hurler Niall Gilligan found not guilty of a... Read More In his plea of mitigation, Michael Lynn SC, defending, said Ciuciu, who has lived in Ireland for a number of years, has been in custody since his arrest. His wife and three young children have had difficulties as a result, the court heard. Ciuciu was described in court as a stateless person of Roma origin, who was born in Germany but whose family renounced that citizenship. He has been residing in Ireland legally on the basis that he has a stateless application before the authorities, defence counsel said. He is extremely concerned about his future residence as a consequence of these convictions, Mr Lynn said. Letters of apology from Ciuciu and his wife were handed into court. The court heard he has experienced racism and discrimination and struggled to find work as a result. He is doing well in custody and has engaged in educational courses.
BreakingNews.ie
22-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (32) to be sentenced later for organising prostitution and brothel keeping
A man who organised prostitution across Dublin leased out eight properties to be used as brothels, money laundering about €320,000 in the process, a court has heard. Stelian Ciuciu (32) posed as part of a couple with another woman who was working as an escort to rent properties from unsuspecting landlords, which he then advertised to escorts for their use, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Tuesday. Advertisement Ciuciu used a WhatsApp group containing about 450 members to advertise the properties to escorts and was heavily engaged in the day-to-day upkeep of the premises, as well as regularly advising the escorts to maintain discretion and not draw attention to themselves, Detective Garda Colm Grogan of the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit said. Ciuciu, of Brookdale Walk, Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to 20 counts, including enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, organising prostitution, brothel-keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. The offences took place in various locations within the state on dates between January 2020 and November 2023. The most serious of these offences – enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation – carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, while the remaining offences carry maximum terms of between five and 14 years, the court heard. Ciuciu has no previous convictions. Advertisement Det Gda Grogan told Mark Lynam SC, prosecuting, that Ciuciu's offences came to light when some landlords came forward with suspicions about what their rented properties were being used for. Gardaí noticed that similar rental documents with Ciuciu's photo but different names had been used to rent out the properties, and Ciuciu was identified and followed. Gardaí followed him to a number of properties that were being used as brothels and some banks where he was lodging cash. When gardaí entered the premises and carried out welfare checks, they found prostitution was taking place in each property, with two or more escorts working there, the court heard. A total of €320,000 was found to be going through Ciuciu's accounts. Det Gda Grogan said this money, which was mostly lodged in cash by Ciuciu, was used to pay the rent for the properties, and these accounts did not contain any profits. When he was arrested in November 2023 and his home was searched, a total of €11,000 in cash was seized. Advertisement When asked by Judge Martin Nolan if gardaí had established what profits Ciuciu made from the enterprise, Det Gda Grogan said in his experience, escorts would pay up to €1,000 a week per property. Investigations are continuing into the whereabouts of the profits Ciuciu would have made, the court heard. The court heard Ciuciu provided fake documents, including fake Romanian identity documents and fake employer references, to rent out the properties, which were the subject of the false instrument charges. He and the escort, who was posing as his partner, provided employer references for a garage and a beauty salon. People in these businesses who were 'complicit' in the offending provided fake references when contacted, the court heard. No charges have been made in relation to these people to date. Ciuciu's accomplice, referred to in court as Ms N, has since fled the country, the court heard. Advertisement In his plea of mitigation, Michael Lynn SC, defending, said Ciuciu, who has lived in Ireland for a number of years, has been in custody since his arrest. His wife and three young children have had difficulties as a result, the court heard. Ireland Man (24) who fatally stabbed sister's partner foun... Read More Ciuciu was described in court as a stateless person of Roma origin, who was born in Germany but whose family renounced that citizenship. He has been residing in Ireland legally on the basis that he has a stateless application before the authorities, defence counsel said. He is extremely concerned about his future residence as a consequence of these convictions, Mr Lynn said. Letters of apology from Ciuciu and his wife were handed into court. The court heard he has experienced racism and discrimination and struggled to find work as a result. He is doing well in custody and has engaged in educational courses. Judge Nolan adjourned the case to Wednesday and said he would finalise the matter then.
