Call girls punished lightly

Call girls punished lightly

DENPASAR, Bali: Six women, including three Filipinas, who were
arrested by police during a raid on a local brothel, were each
let off with a Rp 50,000 fine yesterday by the Badung District
Court.

They were all found guilty of violating a bye-law on
homelessness.

Judge L.P. Sulatri said that in the absence of an anti-vice
law, she could only convict the women under the law regulating
homeless people.

The verdict drew strong jeers from the crowd, including
journalists, who had expected stiffer punishments for the women.

Balinese leaders have condemned prostitution practices in the
province, saying that it is tarnishing the image of the island.

The women were all netted at a brothel in Denpasar owned by
Hartono, known to run similar establishments in Jakarta and other
big cities. The women, according to police sources, charge
between Rp 500,000 and Rp 1.5 million for sex. (23/rms)