Four charged with slavery in Australia

Four people have been charged with making sex slaves of five Thai women found during a raid on a brothel in Melbourne, Australia.

The two men and two women face up to 25 years in prison if convicted, police spokeswoman Rebecca Gordon said today.

It was the first time slavery charges have been filed under new Australian laws aimed at stamping out sexual enslavement and human trafficking.

Police said the five victims were aged 25 to 36. The four suspects were due to be arraigned at Melbourne Magistrate’s Court later today.