GP jailed for ‘slavery-like’ offences after forcing refugee to work in lolly shop
The GP threatened to have his victim deported and killed, the court heard.
A GP will spend at least 18 months behind bars after forcing a refugee to work at his confectionary store for almost two years and threatening to have the victim deported and killed.
Dr Seyyed Farshchi, 50, was found guilty of two forced labour charges back in October 2023 after giving an Iranian refugee irregular payments of $10 an hour for long, exhausting shifts.
The Victorian County Court heard that the victim eventually realised he was being underpaid and challenged Dr Farshchi.
In response, the Melbourne GP threatened to use “connections” to have the man deported and then tell people in Iran that the man had converted to Christianity “so they’re going to kill you”.
