Facts
The appellant, X., was convicted by the Higher Court of the Canton of Zurich for human trafficking on several occasions, promotion of prostitution, corruption, and other offenses. The conviction was based on findings that X. brought Thai women to Switzerland and had them work as prostitutes in her brothels. X. controlled the women in depth, took away their passports and return tickets, and set the prices and type of sexual services.
The appellant filed a federal nullity appeal and opposed her conviction for promotion of prostitution and human trafficking. She argued that the women had given their consent to prostitution and had not been put under pressure.
Considerations
1. Promotion of prostitution
The Federal Court recognized that the appellant subjected the women working for her to strong and lasting pressure from which they could hardly escape, through a multitude of measures. Due to this pressure, the prostitutes were no longer objectively free in their decision to exercise or not this activity and to what extent. The appellant's conviction for promotion of prostitution under art. 195 para. 3 SCC was therefore not contrary to federal law.
2. Human trafficking
The Federal Court recognized that the appellant brought young women from Thailand to Switzerland to have them work as prostitutes in her brothels. Due to their precarious economic and social…