Bangladesh diplomat in New York charged with labour trafficking, assault

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Bangladesh’s deputy consul general in New York was indicted yesterday on charges of labour trafficking and assault for forcing his servant to work without pay through threats and intimidation, a New York City prosecutor said.

Mohammed Shaheldul Islam has limited diplomatic immunity and was ordered to surrender his passport when he appeared before Queens Supreme Court Justice Daniel Lewis, said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown in a statement.

Bail was set at $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

According to the indictment, Islam brought another Bangladeshi, Mohammed Amin, to New York between 2012 and 2013 to work as a household help for Islam and his family.

“Soon after Mr Amin’s arrival, the defendant allegedly took his passport and required the man to work 18 hours a day ... Even though Mr Amin had a contract which outlines his compensation, it is alleged he was never paid for his work,” the statement said. “If the victim disobeyed the defendant’s orders, Mr Amin was allegedly physically assaulted by the defendant, who either struck him with his hand or sometimes with a wooden shoe,” it said. A spokesman for the Bangladesh embassy in Washington said he had no information on the issue. The Bangladesh consulate in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An official of the US State Department said it informed Bangladeshi officials of the arrest. Reuters was not able to determine if Islam had an attorney.

According to the charges, Amin’s only form of income came from tips from guests at parties and a “miniscule” amount of money Islam sent to Amin’s family in Bangladesh.

On several occasions when Amin sought to leave, Islam hit him and threatened to harm his mother and young son in Bangladesh, the statement said.

On occasion, Islam also stated that he would have Amin’s college-age daughter “shamed” if he did not continue to work as his servant, the statement said. The statement did not make clear what he meant by shaming.