Danish court lifts gag order in nail salon human trafficking case

A Danish appeals court has overturned a gag order on two Vietnamese sisters accused of human trafficking, emphasizing the gravity of the case. The court ruled that the alleged exploitation in nail salons was severe enough to justify lifting the anonymity of the accused, prioritizing public interest in the trial.

The case involves allegations that Vietnamese women were recruited to work in nail salons in Farum and Hørsholm, north of Copenhagen. Prosecutors claim the women endured extremely low or non-existent wages, had no control over their money, and were housed in substandard conditions.

With the gag order lifted, it is now lawful to name the nail salons, Fashion Nails in Hørsholm and Farum, as the locations linked to the alleged human trafficking. The company behind these salons, Fashion Nails ApS, is currently undergoing liquidation.

This legal battle is significant because it could mark the first instance of Denmark's human trafficking law being applied to cases not involving sex workers. The trial began in early May and will continue after the summer break. The lifting of the gag order follows a request from press representatives who argued for greater transparency in the proceedings.

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The High Court finds that the indictment is of such a nature and severity that the interests of the accused must yield to the societal interests that justify the widest possible publicity during the main hearing in criminal cases.