PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian court fined an Australian tourist $975 on Tuesday for buying three artworks torn from the 12th century Angkor temples, the first foreigner to be convicted of such an offence, court officials said.
Steven Doyle, 36, of Sydney was arrested near the World Heritage complex on Friday after a hotel cleaner tipped police he had bought sculptures at the Bayon and Angkor temples, the presiding judge said.
"He admitted to the court that he bought them as souvenirs and planned to display at his home in Sydney," judge Aing Nearadey told Reuters after the 2-hour hearing in Siem Reap.
Doyle told the court that he paid $90 for the carvings, whose origin was confirmed by an Angkor conservation expert as 12th or early 13th century, investigating judge Ieng Kimthol said.
Doyle could not be reached for comment, but Aing Nearadey said he made no complaint at the judgement.
"He is an honest guy. He told the truth to the court that he was not aware what he did was illegal," the judge said.
Doyle could have gone to jail for up to five years for buying the carvings from Angkor, one of Asia's prime ancient treasures and impoverished Cambodia's main attraction for the 1.5 million foreign tourists who visit the country each year.
"This is just a message to other tourists not to repeat the same act," Aing Nearadey said.
Steven Doyle, 36, of Sydney was arrested near the World Heritage complex on Friday after a hotel cleaner tipped police he had bought sculptures at the Bayon and Angkor temples, the presiding judge said.
"He admitted to the court that he bought them as souvenirs and planned to display at his home in Sydney," judge Aing Nearadey told Reuters after the 2-hour hearing in Siem Reap.
Doyle told the court that he paid $90 for the carvings, whose origin was confirmed by an Angkor conservation expert as 12th or early 13th century, investigating judge Ieng Kimthol said.
Doyle could not be reached for comment, but Aing Nearadey said he made no complaint at the judgement.
"He is an honest guy. He told the truth to the court that he was not aware what he did was illegal," the judge said.
Doyle could have gone to jail for up to five years for buying the carvings from Angkor, one of Asia's prime ancient treasures and impoverished Cambodia's main attraction for the 1.5 million foreign tourists who visit the country each year.
"This is just a message to other tourists not to repeat the same act," Aing Nearadey said.
1 comment:
I supported this judgement. Very civilize. Thanks.
Post a Comment