Woman planned to spend just two weeks working in Malta brothel, court told

An alleged human trafficking victim who was arrested last December in a St Julian’s brothel only planned to spend a few weeks in Malta before flying back to Spain, a court heard on Monday. 

EF took the stand on Monday afternoon against 31-year-old Panamanian cleaner Janice Jasbeth Ramirez Cummings, 28-year-old Colombian cleaner Karen Dayanna Pineda Caicedo, and  31-year-old Colombian cleaner supervisor Silvia Juliana Jinete Vega.

The three women are accused of trafficking other women into prostitution, living off the proceeds of prostitution, operating a brothel and money laundering, among other charges. They have pleaded not guilty.

EF, a Venezuelan national living in Madrid, explained that she was introduced to prostitution work in Malta by a friend, after telling the friend she needed money. 

While in Spain she was told that her earnings would be split in half with those running the brothel and that her working conditions would be discussed upon her arrival to Malta.

She landed at Malta International Airport on December 6.

Jinete Vega allegedly welcomed EF home and informed her that she had to be available to clients 24 hours a day, would share the bed with two or three other women, and would have to pay a €200 fine if she wanted to leave the brothel before the agreed date.

EF explained that if one of the women who shared a bed had a client, the other would wait in the kitchen. She also said that she complained because the food was not good, came in small portions and was only provided once a day.

EF received €700 for her first two days of work. She added that she was owed €1,500, but the police had arrested them before she received her money. From her share, she had to pay €20 for cleaning and there were other deductions.

When asked if she had ever refused a client, the alleged victim said she never did, but knew that she would be reported to the boss if she did.

While confirming that no one forced her to remain inside the house, she felt coerced to remain at the brothel.

“We were in a vulnerable position. They held the money and we were only paid once a week and we had no option but to remain there,” she said.

Woman was previously in Malta

Under cross-examination, EF confirmed that she did not plan to stay long in Malta and intended to stay for just two weeks. She even had a return ticket booked for mid-December, adding that her life is in Madrid and she wanted to return there.

The woman told the court that she never met the boss or bosses face to face, and confirmed that she had worked as a sex worker in the Netherlands. 

It then transpired that EF had already flown to Malta and worked as a prostitute for the same people for two weeks in October 2025. 

Asked if there were differences in the work conditions imposed in October when compared to December, EF said that the fine was increased from €120 to €200 and the food was better.

She confirmed that she had her passport with her and said that in order to leave the house she would need to seek permission.

Defence lawyer Charles Mercieca asked whether she was aware that there was a woman who did not live at the brothel and could come and go as she pleased. EF knew the woman but never discussed her work conditions.

Asked why she chose Malta over the Netherlands, EF said that in the Netherlands she was self-employed but had been through a traumatic episode where she was held against her will and beaten up by a client. For this reason, she did not want to go back.

EF could not say whether the “mummies” or the accused were also alleged victims of the bosses.

The case continues.

Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided.

AG lawyers Etienne Savona and Charmaine Abdilla prosecuted, assisted by police inspectors John Spiteri and Marshall Mallia.

Lawyers Herman Mula and Silvan Pulis assisted Janice Jasbeth Ramirez Cummings and Silvia Juliana Jinete Vega. The latter also has lawyer Franco Debono appearing for her. Lawyer Charles Mercieca appeared for Karen Dayanna Pineda Caicedo.

Lawyers Stephanie Caruana and Lara Dimitrijevic are appearing for the alleged victims.