NEW YORK – A military officer from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was arrested in New York on Tuesday for human trafficking.

Colonel Arif Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Al-Ali and his wife reportedly lured Filipina domestic worker Elizabeth Cabitla Ballesteros to work in the United States and then failed to pay her wages.

Reports show that Al-Ali came to the US in 2010 to study at the US Naval War College’s international program and brought Ballesteros with him to care for his youngest child.

Ballesteros’ lawyer Ivy Suriyopas said, “However, upon their arrival here, they kept her passport. They forced her to work long hours everyday. They did not allow her to leave the household. They did not allow her to talk to anyone outside the household and she was intimidated.”

Ballesteros is seeking unpaid wages and damages from Al-Ali.

Al-Ali has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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