In Volume 20 of Tintin's adventures, a coup takes place in Khemed against the Emir Ben Kalish Ezab, father of the young and impetuous Prince Abdallah. Captain Haddock has temporarily granted the prince refuge at Moulinsart. He and Tintin travel to the Middle East to aid the Emir. Once there, they are confronted in tumultuous circumstances with a horrific human trafficking ring reminiscent of the darkest period of slavery.