Sentencing begins for 2 men convicted of pimping-related crimes
5 more days scheduled for sentencing of Tamim Albashir and Kasra Mohsenipour
Sentencing began Wednesday in Vancouver for two men convicted of pimping-related crimes and whose victims were as young as 15.
Years of using downtown highrises and fancy cars to lure women has Tamim Albashir and Kasra Mohsenipour behind bars after being convicted of 17 charges including human trafficking in February.
Their family members, sitting in the front row, were visibly distraught to see the two behind bullet-proof glass Wednesday morning. Both men seemed calm and were seen smiling at some points during proceedings.
A packed courtroom heard disturbing details of their crimes involving the exploitation of three women — including a 15-year-old girl — who can't be named for privacy reasons.
The court heard they bought condoms and lube for the girls and controlled them.
The two men were also convicted of trying to obstruct justice by trying to influence or bribe one of the victims from speaking.
Crown prosecutor Nicole Gregoire called the obstruction conviction "an extremely serious offence" because the case relied on the victim's evidence.
Gregoire suggested 16 years behind bars for Albashir and 15 years for Mohsenipour.
The defense has not yet made its suggestion.
Five more days are scheduled for sentencing.
With files from Zahra Premji